Derwentwater

Derwentwater
A lake with a ridge of hills in the background
Derwentwater
Derwentwater is located in the Lake District
Derwentwater
Derwentwater
Derwentwater is located in the former Allerdale Borough
Derwentwater
Derwentwater
Location in Allerdale, Cumbria
LocationLake District, England
Coordinates54°35′N 3°09′W / 54.583°N 3.150°W / 54.583; -3.150
Primary inflowsRiver Derwent, Watendlath Beck, Brockle Beck
Primary outflowsRiver Derwent
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Max. length4.6 km (2.9 mi)[1]
Max. width1.91 km (1 mi 329 yd)[1]
Surface area2 sq mi (5 km2)
Average depth5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)[1]
Max. depth22 m (72 ft)[1]
Water volume29×10^6 m3 (1,000×10^6 cu ft)[1]
Residence time55 days[1]
Shore length19.5 mi (15.3 km)
Surface elevation75 m (246 ft)
Islands4 plus 9 small (13)
References[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Derwentwater, or Derwent Water, is a lake in the Lake District in North West England, immediately south of Keswick. It is in the unitary authority of Cumberland within the ceremonial county of Cumbria. It is the third largest lake by area, after Windermere and Ullswater. It has a length of 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi), a maximum width of 1.91 kilometres (1.19 mi), and an area of 5.4 square kilometres (2.1 sq mi). Its primary inflow and outflow is the River Derwent, which also flows through Bassenthwaite Lake before reaching the Irish Sea at Workington. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. Derwentwater is a place of considerable scenic value. It is surrounded by hills (known locally as fells), and many of the slopes facing Derwentwater are extensively wooded. A regular passenger launch operates on the lake, taking passengers between various landing stages. There are seven lakeside marinas, the most popular stops being Keswick, Portinscale and the Lodore Falls, from which boats may be hired. Recreational walking is a major tourist activity in the area and there is an extensive network of footpaths in the hills and woods surrounding the lake.

The Keswick to Borrowdale road runs along the eastern shore of the lake and carries a regular bus service. There is a lesser, or unclassified, road along the western shore connecting the villages of Grange and Portinscale.

Derwentwater gave its name to the Earldom of Derwentwater.

From 2008 to 2014, the lake was believed to be the last remaining native habitat of the vendace (Coregonus vandesius) fish from the four originally known sites: Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater in the Lake District, and the Castle Loch & Mill Loch in Lochmaben.[2] However, a breeding population was discovered at Bassenthwaite Lake by conservationists in September 2014.[3] The lake (and many others) is polluted with the invasive New Zealand Pigmyweed.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g McNamara, Jane, Table of lake facts, Environment Agency of England and Wales, archived from the original on 28 June 2009, retrieved 13 November 2007
  2. ^ "Ice Age fish thrives in new home". BBC News. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Extinct fish found in the Lake District after millions is spent on clean-up work". Independent.co.uk. 9 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Lake District: New Zealand Pigmyweed spreads in Derwent catchment". BBC. 9 August 2023.