Hawes Water (Silverdale) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hawes Water |
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Looking across the lake towards Challon Hall
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 Hawes Water
Location in Lancashire
Hawes Water
Location in the City of Lancaster district
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| Location | Silverdale, Lancashire, England |
| Coordinates | 54°10′58″N 2°48′06″W / 54.182640°N 2.801607°W |
| Type | natural lake |
| Primary outflows | Hawes Water Moss, Myers Dyke, into Morecambe Bay |
| Catchment area | 1.7 square kilometres (0.66 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | England |
| Max. length | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Max. width | 225 m (738 ft) |
| Surface area | 5.7 hectares (14 acres) |
| Max. depth | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Residence time | 0.32 years |
Hawes Water, sometimes called Hawes Tarn, is a beautiful lake in north west England. It is located in Silverdale, a village in Lancashire. This area is part of the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Hawes Water is one of only two natural freshwater lakes in Lancashire. This makes it quite special! It is also a type of lake called a marl lake. A smaller lake, Little Hawes Water, is found nearby to the north east.
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Discovering Hawes Water
Hawes Water is a very important natural spot. It is part of the Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve (NNR). This means it is protected to help wildlife and nature thrive. The lake is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This title is given to places that are important for their plants, animals, or geology.
What Makes Hawes Water Special?
Hawes Water is a 'marl lake'. This means its water has a lot of calcium carbonate, which comes from the rocks around it. This makes the lake special and helps certain plants and animals to thrive. Many scientists have studied Hawes Water to learn more about its unique environment.
South of the lake, there is an area called Haweswater Moss. This mossy area is also included in the SSSI, showing how important the whole natural space is.
Exploring the Area
You can enjoy a walk along the eastern side of Hawes Water. There is a footpath that is easy to use, even for wheelchairs. A special car parking spot is also available. You can access it with a RADAR key, which helps people with disabilities.
Fiona Reynolds, a writer for Country Life magazine, described Hawes Water as "a mysterious, low-lying marl lake". She mentioned that rare plants like the lady's slipper orchid and birds like bitterns can be seen there at the right time.
The Legend of the Serpent
For many years, people in the area believed a serpent lived in Hawes Water. They said it would sometimes come out of the lake and eat local sheep! This old story adds a touch of mystery to the lake.
Protecting Hawes Water
Natural England is an organization that helps protect England's natural environment. In 2020, they created plans for managing Hawes Water and the rest of the Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve. These plans, called Summary guide to the management of Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve, Silverdale, Lancashire 2020–2025 and Grazed Habitats Management Plan: Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve 2020-2025, describe how they will look after this special place for the future.
