About

The Derwent catchment rises in the north-western fells of the Lake District National Park, with the River Derwents many tributaries and the River Cocker draining some of Englands highest fells including Blencathra and Skiddaw, before entering the Irish Sea at the industrial town of Workington. The River Ellen sub-catchment is a distinct drainage area to the north of this, fed by Overwater and Chapelhouse reservoir, before flowing by the small town of Aspatria to the Irish Sea at Maryport. The catchment includes many iconic lakes such as Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwent Water, Buttermere and Crummock Water, as well as Thirlmere a major public water supply for northwest England. There are several designated conservation areas including the River Derwent and tributaries Special Area of Conservation, and bathing waters and shellfish waters along the west Cumbrian coast. Key species include Atlantic salmon, Sea trout and native White-clawed crayfish. Land use is dominated by sheep and beef farming in the upper sub-catchments, with small to medium sized dairy farms in the lower sub-catchments. Nutrient enrichment of rivers and lakes results from waste water discharges and diffuse rural pollution and there is a legacy left by historic metal mine activities throughout the catchment which continues to cause environmental harm. The catchment suffers from flood risk in its key population centres due to the flashy nature of the rivers which rise and fall very quickly, with several flood defence schemes in place. The vibrant tourist industry is centred on the town of Keswick.