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| Lake name: | Grasmere | Country: | United Kingdom | GIG Region: | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIG Type: | LN2a | Lake code: | UK29184 | Altitude(m a.s.l.): | 61 |
| Area (km²): | 0.61 | Mean depth (m): | 7.74 | Mixing regime: | Stratified |
| Alkalinity (m eq/l): | 0.18 | Retention time (yr): | 0.08 | Chlorophyll a (µg/l): | 9.91 |
| Total phosphorus (µg/l): | 17.18 | Eutrophication status: | 2 - Medium | Hydromorphological status: | 1 - Low |
Description
Grasmere is one of the smaller of the principal lakes of the English Lake District and is situated at the northern end of the Windermere catchment, itself situated towards the south-east of the district. The lake has a surface area of 0.61 km2, a mean depth of 7.74 m, a maximum depth of 21.5 m and an average retention time of 28 days. Its trophic status is on the mesotrophic to eutrophic boundary.
The drainage basin of Grasmere is predominantly steep-sloped and based on unyielding, volcanic rocks that support only a thin soil cover. In 1971, the lake became subject to discharges from an activated-sludge plant treating (mainly) domestic sewage from Grasmere village. Grasmere was made famous by the poet Wordsworth who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and who said of Grasmere that it was "The most loveliest spot that man hath found." Grasmere can claim to be one of the most visited lakes in the Lake District.
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