Crake Operational Catchment

About

Rising in the south Lakeland fells above Coniston Water before joining the Leven Estuary, this operational catchment is dominated by sheep farming and the tourist industry centred round the village of Coniston. There is a significant legacy left by the many historic mine workings at Coppermines Valley and Tilberthwaite in the upper catchment, with a public water supply from Levers Water and several hydro-electric schemes. The Atlantic salmon and Sea trout running the River Crake, and the Arctic charr population in Coniston Water are all in decline due to environmental pressures including enrichment, rising water temperature and increasingly fluctuating flows/levels.