The third Big Windermere Survey results (Apr, 2023)
28 April, 2023
Third Big Windermere Survey provides snapshot of winter water quality in Windermere and its catchment area
The Freshwater Biological Association is delighted to share the results of our third Big Windermere Survey, which provides an intensive snapshot of water quality within the Leven catchment on one day.
Water samples were collected by volunteers from 93 sites throughout the Leven catchment, including from Grasmere, Rydal Water, Blelham Tarn, Esthwaite Water, Ghyll Head reservoir, Windermere and a number of key inflow streams for Windermere.
All samples were taken between approximately 10am and 2pm on Sunday 5th of February, 2023, representing a snapshot of water quality in winter.
Samples have been analysed for a range of water quality parameters within research laboratories at Lancaster University and bacterial analysis was completed at externally accredited laboratories following standard protocols. The data are all open access and available to view on a map via Cartographer. We have also created a briefing note, which you can download below, to explain the results in more detail, and what they tell us about the water quality and bacteriology of Windermere on this sampling occasion.
We have presented the water quality results in the context of EU Water Framework classifications and the bacteria data in the context of the EU Bathing Waters Directive classifications. However, classification of water quality against standards requires long term datasets, comprised of multiple samples taken from each location to capture variation in water quality, such as between seasons. Water quality standards are used to provide context for the results. As future surveys generate additional data, we will be able to undertake more accurate classification of water bodies in the Leven catchment against water quality standards.
Once four surveys have been completed, representing each season, (the last one taking place on 23rd April of 2023), we are looking forward to seeing the full year’s dataset and our understanding grow.
Click to read our Summary Report, see the full dataset on Cartographer.
For any queries, please contact: windermere@fba.org.uk Please have a look at out our FAQs and our Water Quality Guide.
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