Clean-up bid to make lake safe
Published at 13:20, Thursday, 19 January 2012
By Giles BrownA PROJECT to clean up Windermere will be launched this week, as research warns it could become unsafe for swimmers due to algae.
A study in the latest edition of the Freshwater Biology journal warned toxic algae could force a watersports ban on the lake unless action was taken.
The study said farming, sewage and fertilisers were behind blooms of algae, which have caused problems at the lake in the past.
In 2010 an outbreak of algae at the lake led to the cancellation of the Great North Swim.
On Thursday, Lord Clark of Windermere will launch a £1.69m three-year scheme, called Windermere Reflections, at the Parish Centre, in Ambleside.
The scheme involves 19 projects designed to improve the state of the Windermere catchment area.
Activities will include tree planting, river restoration and work to teach people in the area how to reduce their environmental impact.
Free courses will be run in partnership with the University of Cumbria. There will also be opportunities for people to volunteer to take part in the projects.
Michelle Donoghue, chairwoman of the Windermere Catchment Restoration Programme, which Windermere Reflections is part of, said the launch was the beginning of “exciting times”.
She said: “Reflections provides the opportunity for the community to get involved in the work that’s been going on behind the scenes with all sorts of people from scientists to land owners, as we work towards our mission of restoring the lake’s water quality.”
Programme manager Liz Davey encouraged local people and visitors to get involved in the project.
She said: “When it does come to an end we very much hope the skills and information people will have been offered help them as they continue their guardianship of this precious area.”
Publicity events will take place in the Windermere catchment area in March and April.
Published by http://www.walneylocal.co.uk
More Windermere news
- Windermere rangers take the helm of new patrol boat
- Cumbria County Council election
- Quick action averts second Windermere tragedy
- Calls for more regulations following Lakes boat tragedy
- Decision over 'caravan park' extension in Lakes
- Cumbria detective describes mother and daughter Windermere boat deaths as “an absolute tragedy” (1 comment)
- Cumbria police hunt armed poacher (4 comments)
- Young Windermere Beatrix Potter fans are all ears for Pigling Bland tales
- CCTV appears to show man stealing charity collection box from Windermere pub
- Divers to pluck litter from lake Windermere in ‘largest UK event of its kind’
- Businesswoman launches gifts inspired by Windermere ‘monster’
- Pupils follow Leo’s footsteps
- Gadgets help crack down on Windermere speeders
- Big Chill swim in Windermere
- Bowness protesters voice repository fears (7 comments)
- Cumbria fly tipper fined £705 by South Lakes council
- Drug trafficking Windermere couple stripped of assets
- Supermarket chain heads to Windermere
- Supermarket chain heads to Windermere
- Windermere divers go deep for litter pick day
- Boost to economy and jobs with restoration
- £1.25m will safeguard Lakes jobs
- Approval given for Windermere lake rule changes
- Brazen burglar robbed Windermere house in broad daylight
- Restored organ installed at Bowness cinema
Evening Mail homepage
ENERGY FOR LIFE 5.1k WALNEY FAMILY FUN RUN
Did you enjoy the Energy For Life 5.1k Walney Family Fun Run?
• Click here to pledge to take part in next year's event on September 2, 2012
Handy links
Follow
us on Facebook
Vote
Quick links
- Gluten-free challenge - day five
- You’re hired – 65 apprentices
- Flooded holiday park to reopen after renovation
- Underwater litter pick proves to be a success
- ‘Heart of the hospital’ is put forward for award
- New dawn for Barrow Island RL youngsters
- Coasting round the bay
- Calves
- Restored organ installed at Bowness cinema
- Acts draw crowds
- Gluten-free challenge - day five
- You’re hired – 65 apprentices
- Flooded holiday park to reopen after renovation
- Underwater litter pick proves to be a success
- ‘Heart of the hospital’ is put forward for award
- New dawn for Barrow Island RL youngsters
- Coasting round the bay
- Calves
- Restored organ installed at Bowness cinema
- Acts draw crowds
 | ||||||||||||
|
 | ||||||
|
