Lakes of the Lake District

The lakes of the Lake District are creations of nature; beautiful and inspiring. The National Park is home to the deepest lake. It is also home to the four largest lakes in England and Wales. Set against a backdrop of Lakeland mountains, known locally as fells, one can easily conjure up thoughts of bygone authors and poets who so loved their craft; forever sealing a picturesque impression of a romanticised setting in one of the wettest parts of the UK.

Water is abundant here; reason alone for its green hues in summer and long, grey winters. There are hundreds of bodies of water in the Lake District, ranging in size from the largest lakes to the smallest pools, many more than most people would ever care to visit. The popular destinations are what brings the masses here to break away from everyday routine. From hardcore hikers and cyclists to the casual, fair-weather day trippers, visitors to the area who explore this great outdoors, do so because its appeal draws them in, time and time again. The lakes are just one, albeit predominantly so, reason for this influx of people every year.

By name alone, the Lake district has only one lake of the 17 main lakes throughout the National Park – Bassenthwaite Lake, which is nestled in the northern region of the park's periphery. There is a general misconception that Windermere, the largest of the lakes, is prefixed with the word Lake to differentiate it from the small town of the same name. Lake Windermere or Windermere Lake are not official titles, but are used extensively as a means of identifying the lake instead of the town. This grammatical construct (tautology) typifies the redundancy of the word lake, which is not needed due to mere already being present. Also, Windermere Town just sounds a little odd, with town being superfluous.

Although the Lake District has only one body of water with lake in the title, the remaining 16 of the big lakes are named with mere or water. These words are synonymous with the lakes born in this wide open land, either by glacial withdrawal or by human intervention.

Etymology

Before we move on, it is interesting to learn from where these words are derived. Lake District place names take a lot of influence from Old Norse as well as Old English. Some words follow a natural progression through time, others do not and can change dramatically with entirely different meanings. Words can also be cognate with, and influenced by, other languages. A simple appreciation of these can provide a broader understanding of the words we use today.

The three words lake, mere, and water all come from a Proto-Germanic background, however, lake is a little more complicated as it is a merger of two different words from French and English. The French lineage ascends back to Proto-Italic, which spawned the Romance languages (Italian, French, Spanish etc.) What is interesting, all three of these words ultimately refer to a "body of water" of some sort, with subtle variations depending on size and usage. Cognates are also strikingly similar as to be expected, which show how these words developed and changed through time to mean something similar to, or even the same as, their ancestor equivalent.

Rather than discuss this in length here, it is best if these are broken down into more detail separately.

• Origin of the word "lake"
• Origin of the word "mere"
• Origin of the word "water"

Words prefixed with a * are reconstructed words. This means they have not been directly attested, but instead are hypothesised to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Glacial origins

The term "ice age" can be somewhat ambiguous. The earth is in an ice age called the Quaternary glaciation, which began around 2.58 million years ago and has had many periods of glacial advance and retreat. We are still in this ice age, as suggested by the ice caps present at the poles. However, we are currently experiencing an interglacial or warmer period. In the UK this period is called the Flandrian interglacial. This led to retreating ice that left us with glacially "plucked" and eroded valleys that formed the lake district we see today.

Plucking and abrasion

Graphic showing the process of plucking and abrasion (Image:Wikimedia Commons)

The whole process of ice excavation can be described in fairly simple terms, when in reality, it involves a complex set of stages working together. Essentially, the movement of glaciers' grinds and pulls apart the bedrock on which it sits. Dr Alan Smith's book, The Big Lakes of Lakeland, describes this process clearly, without over complicating an already complex set of processes. With nowhere else to go except to follow the flow of ice, the broken pieces of rock were then transported as the ice moved along the valleys, in the case of the Lake District, radially in an outward direction from a central core. This core was so thick that maybe only the tips of the highest peaks of Scafell, Helvellyn, Bowfell, and Great Gable were visible. The Last Glacial Maximum was approximately 22,000 years ago and up to that point in time, the ice had been steadily increasing until it reached its maximum, hence the name. All the big lakes were excavated by the ice during this Last Glacial Maximum, a segment of the Last Glacial Period, which encompassed a timeframe between 115,000 - 11,700 years ago. By 13,550 years ago, the ice sheets had retreated and the "valley glaciers had melted away and a new landscape of ice scoured fells and lakes left impounded in the valley floors was revealed."

So, what is plucking? Plucking is a process that removes large fragments of rock under immense pressures and moves them to other locations, sometimes lengthy distances from their original position. This is similar to quarrying, except instead of explosives and heavy machinery, ice does all the hard work. For plucking to be most effective, Fracturing needs to take place. This is a separate process that weakens the bedrock along naturally occurring joints and fractures, prior to being broken up. As Dr Smith explains, these weaknesses in the rocks may be enough for the ice break away these weakened fragments. However, not all rocks were made equal, and because of this, harder and softer rocks are broken up differently. As the upper layers of bedrock are plucked, the lower layers of rock 'relaxes' and 'unloads' as the pressure of weight is relieved. This then results in the lower layers eventually fracturing and weakening for further plucking to take place. This cycle could repeat for many thousands of years.

Another process that aids plucking is the Entraining of rock fragments as they are pulled away by the ice. Abrasion occurs when these loose fragments are "incorporated into the flowing ice at the base of the glacier" where they become "tools to abrade and scrape the bedrock they pass over," effectively acting as a "rough file or piece of coarse sandpaper, wearing away at the valley floor." Plucking can remove more volume of rock than abrasion, but the two working together provides an effective system to radically redesign a landscape. Meltwater from crevasses can also aid plucking, with constant erosion from the movement of water. 'Warm glaciers' are those with a temperature close to zero degrees, or the melting point. Larger volumes of water provides a greater flow of ice across the bedrock, and an increase in speed in which the ice travels. This was the case with the lakes in Lakeland, although some were created with more complex processes, such as those with two basins: Windermere and Ullswater.

Human interference

The once ebb and flow of ice and, in much more recent times, people, continue to have an effect on the natural backdrop of the second oldest national park in England. The reservoirs of Haweswater and Thirlmere were once natural lakes. They were dammed to raise the water level in a bid to supply fresh water for the people of Manchester, at a price that flooded the valleys, damaging the flora and fauna within them.

List of the main lakes

The lakes have been immortalised in text and image by the very people, past and present, with a passion for this rugged landscape. The big lakes are the quintessence of Lakeland, and listed below are 17 bodies of water that give this National Park its name. How these are classified, one could rightly surmise, is by size. Whilst the humble tarn is usually reserved for the smaller bodies of water, size alone is not the only trait for the lakes. Some tarns are bigger than the smallest of the big lakes, for example, Burnmoor Tarn near Wast Water, and Seathwaite Tarn near the Old Man of Coniston, both of which are bigger than Elter Water and Brothers Water.

One could easily say that each of the lakes have their own distinctive character, companioned by the landscape in which they sit. Size, depth, inflows, outflows, location, and human intervention all play a vital role in our understanding of these expanses of water, which, seen from above, appear to radiate outwards from a central point near the fell of High Raise in Langdale.

Each lake below is the subject of a brief overview, with a link to the lake's main article (when these have been written).

Bassenthwaite Lake

Main article: Bassenthwaite Lake

The only lake is our list with "lake" in its title. The lake's origins relate directly to the last glacial period and the effects of a glacially eroded valley that possibly linked Bassenthwaite Lake with that of Derwentwater as one much larger body of water, seen similarly with Buttermere and Crummock Water. Today, they are connected only by the River Derwent, which meanders through the long-ago silted up alluvial plain that separates the two lakes.

The name of this lake has changed several times since the Middle Ages.T he name Bassenthwaite means Bastun's clearing where Bassen comes from the Anglo-French surname Bastun, which originally meant stick, and thwaite is related to Old Norse þveit meaning a clearing or more accurately, forest land cleared for agriculture or habitation. The lake took its name from the village of Bassenthwaite.

Brothers Water

Main article: Brothers Water

Brothers Water, also known as Brotherswater, and historically Broad Water, is one of the smallest lakes in Lakeland. It is located in the picturesque Patterdale valley, approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) south of Patterdale near Glenridding. The lake's name may derive from the Old Norse bróðir, which means brother. It is claimed that the name of the lake comes from the unfortunate brothers that happened to drown here. Of this widespread tragedy, Harriet Martineau's Complete Guide to the English Lakes (1855) states: "Brothers Water derives its name from the accident — which is said to have happened twice, — of brothers being lost in it, in the attempt of one to save the other. On one of the two occasions, the accident happened through the breaking of the ice, when the brothers were making a venturesome short cut across it to church."

Although only a fraction larger than Elter Water, Brothers Water was at one time much larger than its current size. Due to a high sedimentary inflow and the natural creation of an alluvial fan (new land formed by sedimentary build up), the lake's size has been reduced by around 900 metres. The lake itself is relatively shallow at 16.7 metres at its deepest point. Its shape is unlike the other lakes, which usually takes the ribbon form, carved by the ice many millennia ago. Here, however, the lake takes on a distinctly more rectangular shape, caused by nature and time. 

It can be reached via the A592 Kirkstone Pass, which connects Windermere and Ullswater through some of the most stunning and rugged mountain scenery. The descent into Hartsop is indeed dramatic, the drystone walled road winding its way ever downwards, surrounded by vast open slopes; Hartsop Dodd to the east and High Hartsop Dodd to the west.

Buttermere

Main article: Buttermere

Buttermere is a photogenic and naturally beautiful ribbon lake, set amongst the backdrop of striking fells and picturesque countryside, with "some of the finest glacial features of the district." The 12th largest lake from our list is located at the head of the Buttermere Valley where it sits in a glacial trough along with its neighbours Crummock Water and Loweswater; the only valley in Lakeland with three lakes. The name Buttermere means the lake with good pasture-land, which comes from Old English butere (butter) and mere (lake, pool). Another possible origin of the name has links with Jarl Boethar (also known as "Buthar"), an 11th century Norse Earl who'd attained lands around Buttermere, and was the leader of an Anglo-Scandinavian resistance against the Normans under Ranulf le Meschin, Lord of Cumberland.

The main settlement is the village of Buttermere. It was named after the lake. The civil parish of the same name encompasses a large area including Honister in the east, the southern aspect of Dale Head, the northern aspect of High Stile and Haystacks, Grasmoor and Whiteside in their entirety, and both Buttermere and Crummock Water. The countryside within this boundary offers substantial walking opportunities, which makes this a popular place for visitors. One of easiest is the casual walk around the lake, with its slightly undulating and well-maintain gravel paths.

The village and environs offer accommodation with two hotels, a youth hostel, holiday cottages, and a campsite. There is also a small church dedicated to St. James, and light refreshments are served in the local farm cafe and tea room respectively. There are three car parks, five with hotel parking facilities. One of the car parks belongs to the National Trust and provides free parking to members. Access is via the B5289 (Honister Pass) or Newlands Pass if coming from Keswick.

Coniston Water

Main article: Coniston Water

Crummock Water

Main article: Crummock Water

Derwentwater

Main article: Derwentwater

Elter Water

Main article: Elter Water – The smallest of the lakes

Elter Water is a small lake on the main thoroughfare to the valley of Great Langdale where the dominant and striking Langdale Pikes are situated. It is connected via the A593 and lies approximately 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) west of Ambleside and one kilometre southeast from the village of Elterwater. Both the lake and the village are popular with walkers and cyclists alike, which can be busy all year round but particularly so during the more clement months.

The smallest of the lakes in the Lake District, Elter Water is 75 times smaller than Windermere yet it is by no means lacking in other areas, offering stunning views from the eastern shore looking towards Lingmoor Fell and the aforementioned Pikes. It is made of three distinct sections and only has a maximum depth of around 6 metres (20 ft). The River Brathay flows through the southern part of the lake at The Nab, while the Great Langdale Beck flows from the north. They converge at the eastern section of the lake before continuing southeast towards Skelwith Force waterfalls at Skelwith Bridge and on towards Ambleside and Windermere. The majestic Whooper Swans winter on the lake here.

Ennerdale Water

Main article: Ennerdale Water

Esthwaite Water

Main article: Esthwaite Water

Esthwaite Water is a privately-owned, picturesque lake, nestled between Windermere and Coniston Water in relatively lowland areas, set against a backdrop of beautiful, rolling hills, with coniferous and deciduous woodlands to the east, south and west. The 11th largest lake from our list has a surface area of 100 hectares (247 acres), 7 kilometres (4.35 miles) of shoreline, and has a maximum depth of 15.5 metres (50 feet). The simplest meaning of Esthwaite Water would be the lake by the eastern clearing, with the first and second elements coming from Old Norse, and the third from Old English.

Esthwaite Water lies in a fairly open valley that was carved by a separate tongue of ice from the Langdale fells. The ice continued to excavate in a southerly direction before joining with the Windermere flow, south of Claife Heights. This openness gives a feeling of space from some of the various vantage points that offer fine views across the landscape in almost every direction. In 1987 is was designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, which is protected under conservation. It was London-born Helen Beatrix Potter’s favourite lake, which was handy given the proximity of her 17th-century writing retreat of Hilltop, a modest, picture-perfect farmhouse set within the beautiful village of Near Sawrey. The main settlement is that of Hawkshead, situated at the northern end of the lake.

Grasmere

Main article: Grasmere'

Haweswater

Main article: Haweswater (Reservoir)

Haweswater was once a much smaller natural lake, sitting against a backdrop of farmland and a diverse habitat for flora and fauna. A natural promontory called an arcuate delta, formed by sedimentary deposits from Measand Beck, almost divided the lake in two with only a narrow section called the straits separating the smaller basins of High Water and Low Water, evident in the old OS maps.

Due to Manchester’s increasing demand for drinking water, parliament granted the Manchester Corporation permission to dam the northern end of the lake, and create a water supply reservoir. This came at a cost to the long-time residents of the valley. The original water level of the lake was raised by 29 metres, the damming resulted in the relocation of the residents who lived in the villages of Mardale, Measand and a scattering of other farmsteads. Abandoned buildings were demolished by the Royal Engineers, including the Dun Bull Inn and Holy Trinity Church, but the drystone field boundary walls and the old chapel bridge still survive, seen when the water levels are unusually low.

Nature finds a way to recover and today, Haweswater is a haven for wildlife including red squirrels and small mountain ringlet butterflies. It is the highest lake in the National Park and the landowners, United Utilities, are working in partnership with the RSPB to ensure the area is protected for the future – see Wild Haweswater There is a circular walking route around the reservoir along with various trails through ancient woodland.

Loweswater

Main article: Loweswater

Rydal Water

Main article: Rydal Water

Thirlmere

Main article: Thirlmere (Reservoir)

Ullswater

Main article: Ullswater – The 2nd largest of the lakes

Wast Water

Main article: Wast Water – The deepest of the lakes

Windermere

Main article: Windermere – The largest of the lakes

References

• Smith, Alan (2012). The Big Lakes of Lakeland. The Landscapes of Cumbria No.5. Keswick: Rigg Side Publications
• Smith, Alan (2014). The Smaller Lakes and Tarns of Lakeland. The Landscapes of Cumbria No.6. Keswick: Rigg Side Publications
• Whaley, Diana (2006). A Dictionary of Lake District Place-Names. English Place-Name Society. School of English Studies, University of Nottingham