Elter Water
Elter Water is a small lake that lies half a mile (800 m) south-east of the village of Elterwater. Both are situated in the valley of Great Langdale in the English Lake District.
| Elter Water | |
|---|---|
 Elter Water with the Langdale Pikes in the background | |
  Elter Water Location in the Lake District National Park  Elter Water Location in South Lakeland, Cumbria | |
| Location | Lake District, Cumbria |
| Coordinates | 54.427469°N 3.025875°W |
| Type | Tarn |
| Primary inflows | River Brathay, Langdale Beck |
| Primary outflows | River Brathay |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Max. length | 1,030 yd (940 m) |
| Max. width | 350 yd (320 m) |
| Surface area | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) |
| Max. depth | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Shore length1 | 2.9 km (1.8 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 187 ft (57 m) |
| Islands | 2 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
The lake is 1030 yd (930 m) long and varies in width up to a maximum of 350 yd (320 m), covering an area of 0.06 mi2 (0.15 km2). It has a maximum depth of 20 ft (6.1 m) and an elevation above sea level of 187 ft (57 m). The River Brathay which provides outflow from Elter Water flows south to join Windermere, near Ambleside.[1]
Etymology
The name Elterwater means either
- Lake of the Swan (" 'The lake frequented by swans', from Old Norse 'elptr'/'alpt' 'swan', in the genitive sing.[ular] form with '-ar', and 'water', probably replacing Old Norse 'vatn' 'lake'. Whooper swans still winter on the lake")[2]
- or Lake of Alder.[1]
Ecology
The lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, but there have been problems with water quality, in particular eutrophication.[3] Navigation is prohibited on the lake.[1]
Cultural references
Thomas Frederick Worrall painted a watercolour of the lake with Langdale Pikes in the background. This painting is hanging in the Bishop's House, Keswick.
References
- Parker, 2004, page 37
- Whaley, Diana (2006). A dictionary of Lake District place-names. Nottingham: English Place-Name Society. pp. lx, 423 p.108–109. ISBN 0904889726.
- Hodges, Maureen. "Restoration project see Great Langdale Beck reconnected". Westmorland Gazette. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
Bibliography
- Parker, John Wilson (2004). An Atlas of the English Lakes. Cicerone Press. ISBN 1-85284-355-1.
