Before You Take the Plunge: Ten Things You Need to Know Before Swimming in Lakes and Tarns.
Lakes, tarns and rivers are among some of the most beautiful places in the world to swim. As the weather warms up, you want to be able to make an informed decision about whether to enter or use the water. Here is a list of essential resources to access information to help you decide if you can swim safely, responsibly and with confidence.
Lake District National Park Lake Ranger’s Top Tips
Start here. The National Park Authority Lake Rangers have produced a video giving top tips for a safe dip, including how to avoid cold water shock. The page also covers the Float to Live technique and blue green algae.
Lake District National Park Authority’s Activities Guide
Find out here which lakes are open to swimmers, which have boat traffic, and which are off limits to swimmers. Ennerdale Water, Haweswater, Thirlmere and Kentmere are all reservoirs where swimming is prohibited. The guide also covers visibility, tow floats and safe exit points.
Swimfo – Environment Agency Bathing Water Finder
Swimfo is the official tool for checking water quality at designated bathing sites. These are specific locations monitored by the Environment Agency and classified as Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor based on sampling between May and September.
Sites on Windermere can be found here. Everyone can access Fell Foot at the southern end of Windermere and owned by the National Trust; and there are two more on the eastern side of Windermere above Bowness Bay – Rayrigg Meadow and Millerground Landing.
Designated bathing waters are monitored weekly through the bathing season (May to Sept) and, since 2015, all four Windermere sites have been rated ‘excellent’. Their location brings benefits too. For instance, shallow entry, jetties and away from heavy boat use areas.
Love Windermere
An insight into what’s happening to Windermere’s water and why, here. Our website not only covers water quality, blue green algae, nutrients and climate change but also what everyone can do to help.
Storm Overflow Map
Storm overflows are relief valves in the sewerage system that activate during heavy rainfall. United Utilities has a map of where the storm overflows are on Windermere, find it here. This near real time interactive map shows overflow activity across the North West, including around Windermere. You can check this for both location of a storm overflow and when it last operated.
Don’t swim after Heavy Rain
This isn’t a website resource but general advice, heavy rainfall washes nutrients and bacteria into the lake from highways, sewers, septic tanks and farmland. As a general guide, wait at least 48 hours after significant rainfall before swimming. You can also use the Environment Agency’s Live flood map to check for flooding here.
Blue Green Algae – Bloomin Algae
Blue Green Algae (cyanobacteria) occurs naturally in freshwater lakes and tarns and is more likely during warm, dry spells when water temperatures rise. If you spot what looks like a blue green or greenish discolouration to the water, do not swim or let your pets in. The Bloomin’ Algae app developed by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology lets you photograph and report suspected blooms. Download the app here.
Weather Forecasts
Checking the weather forecast before being in the water can make a big difference – from wind condition and temperature to rain. Lake District weather can change rapidly, and conditions in and on the water can deteriorate quickly. Knowing what’s happened in the days before your swim is just as important as knowing what’s forecast here.
Leave no Trace
Litter including pet waste around lakeshores harms wildlife, contaminates water and degrades the places we love to swim. Take everything home, avoid single use plastics and consider picking up what others have left behind. Responsible recreation keeps these places open and beautiful for everyone. Find about more about what you can do here
Swim informed: research water quality, understand the risks and take responsibility for your own safety in the water.
Swimming in the Lake District can be one of the most rewarding experiences the natural world has to offer. A little preparation using these resources means you can make an informed choice and enjoy it safely and responsibly.
Find out more about our work and our plans to improve Windermere’s water quality by signing up to our newsletter at Newsletter – Love Windermere