Over Water

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Over Water
Over Water as seen from Latrigg (Uldale)
Location	Lake District, Cumbria
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Average depth	18 m (59 ft)
Surface elevation	188 m (617 ft)
Islands	none

Over Water is a small lake or tarn in the north of the English Lake District near the village of Longlands. Although only a fifteen-minute drive from Keswick it is quieter than many of the better-known lakes. Binsey, Great Cockup and Longlands Fell overlook the lake.

Over Water was a small natural waterbody which was dammed in the 1920s to increase its capacity. It now serves as a drinking water reservoir to supply the town of Wigton. The dam is at the northern end. Over Water supports a range of flora including water lillies and water lobelia.^[1]

The name of the tarn has developed and changed over time. It was recorded as 'Orre Water' in 1687, which derives from the Old Norse name 'Orri's tarn' which means 'the tarn where blackcock are found.' [1]

There are many public footpaths offering access, with a 7.5-mile circular route beginning and ending at Over Water and taking in Ruthwaite, High Ireby, High Houses, Binsey and Binsey Lodge over a 950ft elevation being one of the more well-trodden routes [2].

It is notable for being a feeding place for the Ospreys which breed beside Bassenthwaite Lake. Ospreys are still extremely rare breeding birds in England. There is an official Osprey viewpoint at Dodd Wood in the locality [3].