Rochdale Corporation chose Watergrove as a suitable site to build a large reservoir largely to a prolonged drought in the 1930s, resulting in water regularly being bought from Oldham.

Several photographs in the book show people walking along roads that have resurfaced during times of extreme drought.

[1] In July 2008, a 13-year-old boy, Joseph Thomas, was found dead in the reservoir after he had gone swimming with friends.

[2] A free, weekly, 5 km parkrun takes place every Saturday morning.

The event is hosted by local volunteers and was first held on Saturday 7 June 2014.