The Big Windermere Survey
Launched jointly by the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and Lancaster University, the Big Windermere Survey has recruited a team of local volunteer citizen scientists to help assess the environmental health of Windermere.
The Big Windermere Survey has completed ten rounds of surveys. This represents two full year’s worth of data spanning the four seasons for 2022/23 and 2023/24 and two seasons from 2024/25.
Citizen scientists are trained to collect water samples from approximately 100 different locations on Windermere and in the rivers and lakes that flow into it. The samples are analysed for nutrient and bacterial concentrations at independent laboratories, producing the largest, one-day snapshot of conditions in Windermere.
Windermere is a centerpiece of the UNESCO Lake District World Heritage site. Ecologically important, for example, as a home to rare fish species including the Arctic charr, Windermere is also a major destination for tourists and an increasingly popular venue for water sports such as wild swimming, kayaking and sailing.
However, concerns have been raised about the health of the lake, in particular because of algal blooms and bacterial pollution, including Faecal Indicator Organisms, that can potentially harm animals and humans. The Big Windermere Survey focuses on the key nutrients and bacteria that lie behind these issues, contributing to scientific understanding of water quality at Windermere and supporting the development of future initiatives to improve the condition of the lake.
“The Big Windermere Survey is an innovative community freshwater science initiative. Together, volunteers, professional scientists and catchment managers will take Citizen Science to the next level in terms of supporting evidence-led conservation action for Windermere.”
- Dr Louise Lavictoire, Freshwater Biological Association, Head of Science
Introducing the Big Windermere Survey
We have yet to set the date for our next Big Windermere Survey.
We hope this will be spring 2025. If you would like to take part in the next survey, please sign up below.
Further information and BWS downloads
Updates on the survey will be posted on Twitter @freshwaterbio and @lancsuniLEC and results will be disseminated through a range of sources, including on our website.
For further information on what is analysed from the water samples, please take a look at our water quality guide and our FAQs about the Big Windermere Survey by following the links below.
The FBA also produced an Information Note ‘The State of Windermere’ in February 2022, which explains the scientific basis and impacts of changes in the water quality of Windermere over time, to support efforts to better understand the freshwater science of this iconic lake.
Downloads: Risk assessment Blue-green algae
Find out more about the Big Windermere Survey
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Volunteer for the BWS
Interested in becoming a Citizen Scientist? We'd love you to join us at the next Big Windermere Survey!
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Importance of Citizen Science
Here at the FBA we value the power of Citizen Science to support the conservation of freshwater environments.
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BWS Results
Explore the results from our previous surveys and view all data on our interactive Cartographer map.
Support the Big Windermere Survey
The Big Windermere Survey is a vital community based project which would not be possible without funding. Please consider donating today.