Water firm plan to return lakes to natural state
Geograph / Ian CapperPlans to remove infrastructure, weirs and dams from three Lake District waters have been submitted.
United Utilities stopped abstracting water from Crummock Water, Chapelhouse Reservoir and Overwater in 2023 and said it wanted to return the sites to their "natural states".
Proposals include removing the weir at Crummock Water which the company said would lower levels by about 1.35m (4.4ft) and help manage storm water runoff from heavy rainfall.
It is hoped the changes would restore salmon habitats and natural flows along becks and rivers.
The plans at Chapelhouse Reservoir involve removing its dam, pumphouse, spillway channel, overflow pond and abstraction tower.
If approved by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), parts of the River Ellen would be realigned and a new bridge would be built over the river.
At Crummock Water, the weir and surrounding structure would be removed which could create "greater natural storm attenuation capacity".
Geograph / Malc McDonaldUnited Utilities said works would see Park Beck - which is currently a concrete channel - revert back to its natural curves.
The company said this would reduce the speed at which the water enters Crummock Water, decreasing flood risk.
At Overwater, proposals involve removing the weir and embankment and realigning a short section of White Beck, United Utilities said.
Another section of of the River Ellen that runs through Stockdale Farm will also be realigned under the plans, which are being considered by the LDNPA.
The water company said it was working with the Environment Agency, Natural England, National Trust, landowners, and authorities to develop plans to maintain access for visitors.