Wast Water facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wast Water |
|
|---|---|
Looking towards Wasdale Head
|
|
 Wast Water
Location in Lake District
Wast Water
Location in the Borough of Copeland
|
|
Map of 1925
|
|
| Location | England |
| Coordinates | 54°26′30″N 3°17′30″W / 54.44167°N 3.29167°W |
| Type | Ribbon Lake |
| Primary inflows | see list |
| Primary outflows | River Irt |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Max. length | 3.03 miles (4.88 km) |
| Max. width | 0.49 miles (788.58 m) |
| Surface area | 1.08 sq mi (2.8 km2) |
| Max. depth | 243 feet (74 m) |
| Water volume | 0.110 cubic kilometres (0.026 cu mi) |
| Shore length1 | 6.84 mi (11.01 km) |
| Surface elevation | 200 feet (61 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Wast Water is a beautiful lake found in Wasdale, a valley in the western part of the Lake District National Park in England. It is almost 3 miles (4.8 km) long and more than 1/3 mile (536 m) wide. This lake was formed by glaciers, which carved out its deep valley. Wast Water is the deepest lake in England, reaching 258 feet (79 m) down.
The surface of the lake is about 200 feet (61 m) above sea level. This means its very bottom is actually more than 50 feet (15 m) below sea level! The National Trust owns Wast Water, helping to protect this special place.
Contents
Exploring Wast Water's Surroundings
The area around Wast Water is truly amazing. At the head of the Wasdale Valley, you'll find some of England's tallest mountains. These include Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and Lingmell.
The Famous Screes
On the southeastern side of the lake, there are very steep slopes called the "Wastwater Screes" or simply "The Screes". These slopes are covered in loose rocks and stones. They formed over time as ice and weather broke down the rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. The Screes rise about 2,000 feet (610 m) from top to bottom. Their base goes about 200 feet (61 m) below the lake's surface.
A path runs along the lake's edge, winding through the rocks and scree at the bottom of the steep hills. On the northwestern side, you can see the cliffs of Buckbarrow and the unique shape of Yewbarrow. Wast Water is also the starting point for the River Irt, which flows out to the Irish Sea near Ravenglass.
Both Wast Water and the Wasdale Screes are protected areas. They are known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation. This helps to keep their natural beauty safe.
The Name Wast Water
The name "Wastwater" comes from "Wasdale" and the English word "water." It basically means "Wasdale lake." The name is a mix of old words for "water" or "lake."
The valley name "Wasdale" is pronounced like "was." The lake's name, "Wast Water," is pronounced similarly, but with a soft "s" sound. You might see the lake spelled "Wast Water" on maps, but "Wastwater" is also very common. Even the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority use both spellings.
Interesting Facts About Wast Water
Wast Water has some unique stories and features that make it even more special.
Underwater Gnome Garden
For a while, there was a "gnome garden" at the bottom of Wast Water. Divers had placed it there with a small picket fence for others to explore. However, this garden was removed because of safety concerns for divers. It was thought that some divers spent too much time at deep levels trying to find the ornaments.
Police divers later heard a rumor that a new gnome garden had been placed even deeper in the lake. This new spot was beyond the safe diving limits for police divers.
Water for Industry
During World War II, water was first taken from Wast Water to supply a factory. Today, water from the lake is pumped to the nearby Sellafield nuclear facility. It is used there for industrial purposes. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is allowed to take up to 4 million imperial gallons (18,000 cubic meters) of water from the lake each day for the site.
Britain's Favourite View
On September 9, 2007, Wast Water was voted "Britain's Favourite View" by viewers of ITV. This shows how much people love the stunning scenery around the lake.
Rivers and Streams
Many small rivers and streams flow into Wast Water. They are listed here, starting clockwise from the River Irt:
- Countess Beck
- Smithy Beck
- Goat Gill
- Nether Beck
- Over Beck
- Mosedale Beck
- Lingmell Beck
- Hollow Gill
- Straighthead Gill
Images for kids
-
Wasdale from the shores of Wastwater. Yewbarrow is on the left, Great Gable in the centre and the Scafell range on the right.
-
The view from the cairn put up by the Westmorland Brothers to the SW of the summit of Great Gable - Wastwater in the distance.
-
Illgill Head with Wastwater at its foot.
-
Wastwater looking towards Wasdale Head
See also
In Spanish: Wast Water para niños
