Over Water facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Over Water |
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Over Water as seen from Latrigg (Uldale)
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 Over Water
Location in Lake District
Over Water
Location in Allerdale
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| Location | Lake District, Cumbria |
| Coordinates | 54°42′17″N 3°09′45″W / 54.70472°N 3.16250°W |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Average depth | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 188 m (617 ft) |
| Islands | none |
Over Water is a beautiful small lake in the northern part of England's Lake District. It's located southwest of a tiny village called Longlands. Mountains like Binsey, Great Cockup, and Longlands Fell stand tall around it.
Contents
Discovering Over Water
A Lake Transformed
Over Water wasn't always this size. It was a smaller natural body of water. In 1904, a dam was built to make it bigger. Now, it works as a reservoir, holding drinking water for the nearby town of Wigton.
Why the Name?
The name of this lake has changed over many years. In 1687, it was called 'Orre Water'. This name comes from the Old Norse language. It might mean 'the lake where blackcock or grouse birds are found'. It could also mean 'Orri's lake', as 'Orri' was a nickname or personal name related to these birds.
Nature's Special Spot
Over Water is a very important place for nature. It's home to many different plants, including pretty water lilies and water lobelia. Because of its special wildlife, it's protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a place that scientists want to keep safe.
Even though there are public walking paths nearby, you can't go directly to the lake itself. The lake is owned by the National Trust, which helps protect special places. However, the land right around the lake belongs to different private owners.
Home for Ospreys
Over Water is famous for being a feeding spot for Ospreys. These large birds of prey are very rare in England. They breed near Bassenthwaite Lake, which is not far away. You can often see them flying over Over Water looking for fish. There's even a special place called Dodd Wood where you can go to watch these amazing birds.
