Historic Lake Levels - The Evidence
There has been a great deal of confusion over the history of lake levels at Crummock. Statements made by United Utilities are that by dropping the height by 4.5ft (up to 1.5m in summer) “The intention is to return Crummock Water to its previous water level prior to the weir being installed”.
However recent research shows lake level has never been less than 60cm lower than its current level.
We set out the evidence on lake levels.
Historical Records
The Hughes Report
Mr Hughes, Senior Natural Scientist at Defra researched the definitive history of Crummock. His well researched report, part of his report Simulating and Visualising the Hydrological and Landscape Impacts of Reservoir Engineering at Crummock Water, England - Hughes (14mb download) offers a detailed understanding of reservoir renaturalisation. Annexe B provides the historical research - click here.
Page 247 of the report explains the situation in 1878 when the Workington Corporation were looking for a clean water source. The engineers noted that “the splendid natural reservoir of Crummock had advantages the other schemes (Loweswater and Whinlatter) did not possess”. They judged it was “not expedient to raise the surface of the lake ” as this would submerge valuable land.
This work is validated in the technical report by Jacobs commissioned by United Utilities and held on their website.
Peer Validation
We asked Emeritus Professor of History at Lancaster University to review the evidence. Professor Winchester grew up in the Lorton valley and is the author of “The Language of the Landscape”
He concluded his analysis with the following summary: “lowering the level of the lake by around 2 feet would seem to be what is needed to restore the lake to its pre-1900 level. In my opinion, lowering the level by 5 feet would be overkill, with no historical justification”. His full comments can be found by clicking on the link below.
Prof. Angus Winchester Analysis
See the pictures below which show the lake level prior to the concrete weir being installed in 1903 and a map indicating the expected increase in height.
Plans to raise the lake level 1903
Ground Surveys
Seeking further validation and given the scarcity of photographic images before the 1860’s we looked to art from the previous century. There are many fine pictures of Crummock. Most famous is the Turner view now hanging in the Tate, but complimented by Heaton Copper and many artists of the late 18th and early 19th. For our purposes we chose an engraving by Thomas Allom 1833. His view of Rannerdale Knotts has an iconic landmark in the foreground - the Iron Stone. Our historical researcher and Lorton resident Pip Wise shows us a comparison of his view in 1833 and hers in 2024. Under water research shows the stone to be the tip of a cliff which, were the lake level to drop by 4-5 ft would be dramatically exposed.
Allom, Wise and the Iron stone.
Conclusion
A combination of physical, desk and photographic research all validate the view that Crummock lake levels have always been within 2 feet of their current level.