Derwentwater

Not to be confused with Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, or Derwent Reservoir in North East England.

Derwentwater
Location	Lake District
Coordinates	54°35′N 3°09′W
Primary inflows	River Derwent, Watendlath Beck, Brockle Beck
Primary outflows	River Derwent
Basin countries	England
Max. length	4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi)
Max. width	1.91 kilometres (1.19 mi)
Surface area	2 sq mi (5.2 km2)
Average depth	5.5 m (18 ft)
Max. depth	22 m (72 ft)
Water volume	29 x 106 m³
Residence time	55 days
Shore length1	9.6 mi (15.4 km)
Surface elevation	75 metres (246 ft)
Islands	4 plus 9 small (13)
References
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Location

Derwentwater (or Derwent Water) is one of the principal bodies of water in the Lake District National Park in north west England. It lies wholly within the Borough of Allerdale, in the county of Cumbria.

The lake occupies part of Borrowdale and lies immediately south of the town of Keswick. It is both fed and drained by the River Derwent. It measures approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long by 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and is some 72 feet (22 m) deep. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. Derwent Island House, an 18th century residence, is a tenanted National Trust property open to the public on five days each year.

Derwentwater is a place of considerable scenic value. It is surrounded by hills (known locally as fells), and many of the slopes facing Derwentwater are extensively wooded. A regular passenger launch operates on the lake, taking passengers between various landing stages. There are seven lakeside marinas, the most popular stops being: Keswick, Portinscale and the Lodore Falls, from which boats may be hired. Recreational walking is a major tourist activity in the area and an extensive network of footpaths exists within the hills and woods surrounding the lake.

The Keswick—Borrowdale road runs along the eastern shore of the lake and carries a regular bus service. There is a lesser, or unclassified, road along the western shore connecting the villages of Grange and Portinscale.

Derwentwater gave its name to the Earldom of Derwentwater.

The lake is believed to be the last remaining native habit of the vendace (Coregonus vandesius) fish from the 4 originally known sites: Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water in the Lake District and the Castle Loch & Mill Loch in Lochmaben.

Derwentwater's islands

There are numerous islands in Derwentwater, the largest being: Derwent Island, Lord's Island, St Herbert's Island, Rampsholme Island and Otterbield Island.

Panoramas

Derwentwater from the northern shore near Keswick

A panoramic view of Derwentwater from Catbells on the western side

External links

• Derwentwater in the snow, January 2010. Daily Mail article
• The Cumbria Directory - Derwent Water
• Lake District Walks - Derwent Water Keswick
• Media related to Derwent Water at Wikimedia Commons