A bid to return two Cumbrian lakes and a reservoir back to nature has taken a step forward.
United Utilities has formally submitted planning applications for its plans for Crummock Water, Chapelhouse Reservoir and Overwater.
In 2023, United Utilities stopped abstraction for public water supply from Crummock Water, Chapelhouse reservoir and Overwater as well as at Ennerdale Water.
Plans have now been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority to see the sites returned to their natural states.
At Crummock Water, the plan is to remove the weir structure, some of the equipment used for collecting water supplies and the supporting infrastructure.
The weir does not currently provide any benefit to help manage flood risk downstream, United Utilities said.
It added that removing the weir will lower the outlet level within Crummock by approximately 1.35 metres, creating greater natural storm attenuation capacity.
Work at Park Beck would also contribute to reducing flood risk, the water firm said.
The lower course of Park Beck is currently a straight concrete channel and provides an efficient way of transferring storm water into the reservoir.
The proposed work would remove the concrete channel and return the natural curves of the watercourse. It would reduce the rate at which the water enters into the reservoir, with multiple channels that would create several points of entry during high flows and remove the pathway for flood water to bypass Crummock Water and flow straight into the River Cocker.
Chapelhouse reservoir
The plan submitted for Chapelhouse reservoir includes the full removal of the dam, pump house, spillway channel, overflow pond and abstraction tower.
Plans also include realigning sections of the River Ellen, located at the bottom of the valley and the construction of a new bridge over the River Ellen at Chapelhouse Reservoir.
Overwater
At Overwater, the plans include the removal of the existing weir and the embankment as well as the realignment of a short section of White Beck where it meets with the proposed realigned section of the River Ellen.
A section of the River Ellen that runs through Stockdale Farm will also be realigned.
The schemes would deliver environmental benefits including the restoration of natural flows along becks and rivers in the surrounding catchment areas, the restoration of natural salmon habitat, removing barriers to fish migrations and additional tree planting, United Utilities said.
Ennerdale Water
United Utilities said it was nearing the end of a feasibility study for future plans and will soon move into the outline design phase.
It added: “During the outline design stage, which will ultimately lead to submission of a planning application, further drop-in events will be organised to share the plans with the public.
“United Utilities is working closely with organisations including the Environment Agency, Natural England, National Trust and the LDNP as it moves forward its plans for each reservoir.”
More detailed information can be found online at https://www.unitedutilities.com/crummock
