Hatchmere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hatch Mere Nature Reserve |
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Swimmers in Hatchmere
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| Type | Nature reserve and SSSI |
| Location | Delamere Forest, Cheshire |
| OS grid | SJ537709 |
| Area | 12.6 hectares (31 acres) |
| Elevation | 80m |
| Operated by | Cheshire Wildlife Trust |
| Open | any reasonable time |
Hatchmere is a small, beautiful lake and a special nature reserve located in Delamere Forest, England. It's found southeast of a town called Frodsham in Cheshire. Hatchmere is also the name of a tiny village very close to Norley.
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A Special Place for Nature
The Hatch Mere Nature Reserve covers about 12.6 hectares (which is roughly the size of 30 football fields!). This area is part of a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (often called an SSSI). This means it's a very important place for nature and is protected by law. The Cheshire Wildlife Trust helps manage and look after this special spot.
Hatchmere is quite unique because it's a lake surrounded by special types of plants that usually grow in acidic, boggy (wet and spongy) areas. The lake itself is a great example of a "kettle hole." Imagine a giant chunk of ice left behind by a glacier during the last ice age. When that ice melted, it left a big hole in the ground, which then filled with water to become a lake like Hatchmere! There are several other kettle holes in the Delamere area; some are lakes, while others are dry or have turned into peat bogs.
Animals and Plants You Might See
Hatchmere is home to some interesting creatures. Keep an eye out for the Hairy Dragonfly and the Variable Damselfly. There's also a rare type of caddisfly found here.
For plants, you might spot the Tufted Sedge and Bog Myrtle. These plants are quite rare in this part of the country, making Hatchmere even more special.
Protecting Hatchmere
For many years, people have enjoyed swimming in Hatchmere. In 1998, when the Wildlife Trust bought the land, they first tried to block the main swimming spot. However, a group called the "Friends of Hatchmere" was formed. They worked hard to make sure people could still enjoy the lake. Eventually, the Wildlife Trust agreed to let people swim there again. This campaign even helped start a group called the River and Lake Swimming Association, which encourages open water swimming in the UK.
If you like fishing, you can also fish at Hatchmere if you are a member of the Prince Albert Angling Society. Anglers (people who fish) use special platforms that require a key to access. The lake has different kinds of fish, including Bream, Tench, Pike, Roach, and some types of Carp.
Looking After the Lake's Health
Like many natural places, Hatchmere faces challenges from modern land use and activities. Over time, nutrients like nitrates and phosphates can build up in the lake's mud. If this mud gets stirred up, these nutrients can be released into the water, making it unhealthy for some plants and animals.
Because of these issues, and to help the lake recover, wild swimming in Hatchmere has been stopped since November 2019. Work is being done to improve the water quality and help the lake's ecosystem.
Beavers to the Rescue!
In autumn 2020, something exciting happened! A pair of Eurasian beavers were released into a fenced area of about 10 acres at the northwest end of the lake. Beavers are known for building dams and changing their environment, which can help create new habitats for other wildlife and improve water quality. It's hoped they will help make Hatchmere even healthier and more diverse!
