DERWENTWATER 109 



The infant Derwent flows through Derwent- 

 vvater, connects it with Bassenthwaite (through 

 which it runs), debouches at Ouse Bridge, thence 

 to Cockermouth, thence to Workington, where 

 it empties into the sea. In the grounds of 

 Barrow House is the Barrow Fall, 124 feet 

 in height. 



Viewed from the side of (say) Skiddaw it will be 

 seen that Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite are 

 really one lake, separated only by a low alluvial 

 plain, formed by the Greta and Newlands Beck. This 

 plain is so flat that when the rivers and lakes are 

 in flood it is occasionally completely submerged, 

 and a continuous sheet of water stretches for 

 10 miles. 



In this connection it may be mentioned that 

 Derwentwater is subject to greater fluctuations as 

 to its volume of water than any other lake. 

 Accurate data are available on this point, and these 

 show that the lake attained its greatest recorded 

 height on November 26, 1861. Upon this occa- 

 sion its average depth of 1 8 feet was increased to 

 27 feet 5 inches. 



Derwentwater contains Trout, Pike, Perch and 

 Vendace. 



Trout are fairly abundant and increasing, and 

 although the average size is not great (two or 

 three to the pound) I Ib. fish are not uncommon, 

 and individual fish from I Ib. to 6 Ibs. are taken 

 every season. 



April, May, and early June are the best fishing 

 months, and the trout rise again in August and 

 September. 



Here, as elsewhere, the largest fish are taken by 



