"The reservoir was constructed predominantly by itinerant navvies. As the workforce was employed directly by the Corporation, the Corporation established a temporary community in the vicinity of the construction site. Upper Bank Bottom Mill, a water powered mill, was acquired together with an associated house. Lower Bank Bottom Mill was also acquired and one wing was demolished. Both mills and the house were converted to dwellings for the workforce. Outbuildings at Lower Bank Bottom Mill were also used as workshops and coal stores. Eventually, Upper Bank Bottom Mill was lost under the embankment. Lower Bank Bottom remained until after the reservoir was complete. It no longer exists. The community also housed grain stores and stables for the horses[9].

A mission room was provided, which included copies of bibles, hymn books and also the Huddersfield Examiner and Yorkshire Post newspapers. As was common at the time, the navvies were treated with suspicion by locals who increased the price of provisions and alcohol for them. As a direct result, the reservoir navvies decided to build their own pub/club for socialising. The Puleside Working Men’s Club near to the reservoir on Old Mount Road is a lasting legacy of the navvies."

 

(reference  Save Butterley Spillway - Christian Shannon found on http://spillway.co.uk/history-of-butterley-spillway/ )