Location Lake District, Cumbria Average depth 18 m (59 ft) Surface elevation 188 m Parent range Lake District | Basin countries United Kingdom Islands none Mean depth 18 m | |
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Similar Lake District, Great Sca Fell, Brae Fell, Overwater Hall, High Pike | ||
Over Water is a small lake or tarn in the north of the English Lake District near the village of Longlands. Although only a fifteen-minute drive from Keswick it is quieter than many of the better-known lakes. Binsey, Great Cockup and Longlands Fell overlook the lake.
Map of Over Water, Wigton, UK
Over Water was a small natural waterbody which was dammed in 1904 to increase its capacity. It now serves as a drinking water reservoir to supply the town of Wigton. The dam is at the northern end. Over Water supports a range of flora including water lilies and water lobelia.
The name of the tarn has developed and changed over time. It was recorded as 'Orre Water' in 1687, which derives from the Old Norse which means 'the lake where blackcock or grouse are found' or 'Orri's lake' ...ON 'orri' is a bird of the grouse family, but hence also a nickname and pers.[onal] n.[ame]."
There are many public footpaths offering access, with a 7.5-mile circular route beginning and ending at Over Water and taking in Ruthwaite, High Ireby, High Houses, Binsey and Binsey Lodge over a 950 ft elevation being one of the more well-trodden routes [1]. (There is no public access around the lake itself as it is a SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest: the lake itself is owned by The National Trust; the lake shore is privately owned by a number of different landowners).
It is notable for being a feeding place for the Ospreys which breed beside Bassenthwaite Lake. Ospreys are still extremely rare breeding birds in England. There is an official Osprey viewpoint at Dodd Wood in the locality [2].