Theme: Landscape Shaped by Water

This theme investigates how water has played a part in sculpting both the landscape and the culture of its people throughout the ages, and the part it plays now.

We want you to enjoy the new wetland habitat we have created, find out more about the history of our waterways, and help save our riverbanks from aliens!

The 3 projects in this theme are:

Taming and Training Floodwaters
For thousands of years, watercourses in the Bassenthwaite catchment have been modified by man’s activities for the benefit of agriculture, mining, transport, flood defence and water supply.

Our Taming and Training Floodwaters project has worked with volunteers to investigate and chart the history of our interaction and relationship with the waterways in the catchment. Local records, photographs and maps have been examined and the information and evidence gathered is now being formed into a display.

This display will be open to everyone, and we hope it will provide an historical legacy which can be drawn upon to help inform and perhaps aid decisions on the way we manage our waterways in the future.

Project leader: Chris Robinson, Environment Agency

Alien Invasion
We are working with communities to raise awareness of, and work to eradicate invasive plant species that area damaging our rivers and lakes. This work will help stabilise riverbanks and promote the regeneration of native plant species and habitats.

Himalayan balsam may be a beautiful delicate pink flower, but it is highly invasive and stifles the growth of native plant species. This is particularly a problem on our riverbanks, as in the winter the balsam dies back, leaving the banks bare and exposed to erosion.

The ‘pulling season’ is a limited window in the summer months, just before the balsam seeds. And this is when we need your help. Join us to help eradicate this plant from our catchment.

Contact us now to find out more, set up your own volunteer group and have a great social too!

Project leader:
Pete Barron, Lake District National Park Authority

Dubwath Silver Meadows
This unique wetland site at the north end of Bassenthwaite Lake is not only one of the county’s best havens for wetland flora and fauna, but this 17 acre site will help protect the water quality of Bassenthwaite Lake by offering natural floodwater storage and by depositing silt and nutrients before the water can enter the lake.

The 17 acre Access for All site has 900m of boardwalk (made out of recycled plastic), 600m of compact Honister stone path and is open and waiting for your visit! The layout and curves of the Access for All boardwalk take you on a tour through the beautiful wetland, and the character and construction of the different shelters really gives the site a rustic and fairytale appeal. But they’re not just for show, go inside and view the wetland in quiet seclusion. You may spot the family of deer who have taken up residence, and if you don’t see the different birds species, you will definitely hear them!

There is still some work going on at the site, including completion of the shelters, interpretation and signage. But don’t let that stop you - the site is open and waiting for your visit!

Click Here to see directions to this area.

Project leader: Steve Johnston, Environment Agency