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RIVER
LEVEN - The Leven flows out of Lake Windermere at
Newby Bridge and makes a short journey of little more than
three miles to the estuary at Haverthwaite. It carries a vast
quantity of water collected from an enormous catchment area
that feeds Easedale and Loughrigg tarns and the lakes of Grasmere,
Rydal, Elterwater and Windermere. One source claims the volumes
are so vast it takes nine months for the water to flow from
Waterhead at the head of Windermere to Newby Bridge. There
are several weirs along the short length of the river that
were constructed to provide a source of power for the Corn
Mill, Blast Furnace and Gunpowder works. There is a specially
constructed salmon leap alongside this weir at Newby Bridge
- October is the key month for leaping Salmon. After heavy
rain the level may rise several feet:- |
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RIVER
LEVEN - NEWBY BRIDGE WEIR The same scene as above
but in autumn after heavy rain! |
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RIVER
BRATHAY - The Brathay flows out of Elterwater and
travels the few miles past Skelwith Bridge to join Lake Windermere
at Ambleside. It formed the northern boundary of the old county
of Lancashire. A good path from Elterwater to Skelwith affords
splendid views at all times of the year. |
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STEPPING
STONES, TORVER BECK - The River Duddon has several
sets of stepping stones, otherwise they are not common in
the area. Torver Beck begins life in Goat's Water and the
Cumbria Way crosses it on these stones just above Sunny Bank
(where the beck joins Coniston Water). However most people
sensibly use the wooden footbridge nearby! Upstream there
are attractive cascades just above Mill Bridge. |
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RIVER
CRAKE - Flows the short distance from Coniston Water
to Greenodd. It is hard to imagine that Penny Bridge was once
an important crossing on the turnpike road from Levens to
Ulverston and a busy quay, used to import and export many
goods (and allegedly slaves from the West Indian trade). The
slate quay can still be picked out on the far bank where the
small tree stands. The final stretch of the river from Penny
Bridge to Greenodd was "straightened" to facilitate
the arrival of boats. |
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RIVER
WINSTER - Forming the eastern boundary of the old
county of Lancashire the River Winster slowly anmbles its
way into Morecambe Bay. Unlike the faster flowing Crake and
Leven this water moves through the limestone countryside rather
like a southern chalk river - slowly enough for the Yellow
Water-lilies seen here to take hold! |
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RIVER
CRAKE - ALLAN TARN Just as the Crake starts its journey
from the southern end of Coniston Water it broadens out into
a reed-lined tarn. These lowland "river" tarns are
unusual in Cumbria (another is found on the river Winster,
the little known Helton Tarn). It was the model for Arthur
Ransom's "Octopus Lagoon". Unfortunately there is
no public access to it and it must be viewed from a distance
from the slopes of Brock End above Nibthwaite. Lowick Common
forms the background hill. |
