Lakes of the Lake District: Difference between revisions
added haweswater info and started added lake etymology
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==Etymology==
Before we move on, let's have a quick look at where these words are derived. Lake District place names take a lot of influence from {{w1|Old Norse}} as well as {{w1|Old English}}. Words prefixed with a * are [[Wiktionary:Reconstructed terms| reconstructed words]]. This means they have not been directly attested, but instead are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.
==The origin of "lake"==
The word ''lake'' comes from a merging of inherited Middle English ''lake'' (“small stream of running water, pool, lake”) with Middle English ''lac'' (“lake”), from Old French ''lac'' (“lake”) or Latin ''lacus'' (“lake, basin, tank”). The former, lake (“stream, pool, lake”), is inherited from Old English ''[[wiktionary:lacu#Old English|lacu]]'' (“stream, pool, expanse of water, lake”), from ''[[wiktionary:Reconstruction:Proto-West Germanic/laku|*laku]]'', from Proto-Germanic ''*lakō'' (“stream, pool, water aggregation”), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European ''*leg-'' (“to leak, drain”). It is related to Dutch ''laak'' (“stream, drainage ditch, pond”), German Low German ''Lake'', ''Laak'' (“drainage, marshland”), German ''Lache'' (“puddle”), Icelandic ''lækur'' (“stream”).
The following descendents follow the English lineage:
Proto-West Germanic: ''[[wiktionary:Reconstruction:Proto-West Germanic/laku|*laku]]'' → stream, pool or lake
*Old English: ''[[wiktionary:lacu#Old English|lacu]]'' → pool, pond, expanse of water, or lake
*Middle English: ''[https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/middle-english-dictionary/dictionary/MED24590/track?counter=1&search_id=23368488 lāke]'' → (a) expanse of water, a lake; (b) a pond, pool; cistern, reservoir; small artificial pool, or basin
*English: ''[[wiktionary:lake#English|lake]]'' → a large, landlocked stretch of water or similar liquid
===The origin of "mere"===
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===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,<ref>Smith (2012), p.101</ref> 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.<ref>Smith (2012), p.103</ref>
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<ref>[https://www.unitedutilities.com/about-us/acres-of-nature/Haweswater/ Haweswater Reservoir] United Utilities. Accessed 26 April, 2023.</ref> and the landowners, United Utilities, working in partnership with the RSPB<ref>[https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/haweswater-reserve/ Haweswater Reservoir] RSPB. Accessed 26 April, 2023.</ref> to ensure the area is protected for the future – see [https://wildhaweswater.co.uk/ Wild Haweswater] There is a circular walking route around the reservoir along with various trails through ancient woodland.
===Loweswater===
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