SMALLER LAKES 129 



1 6 cascades of the purest water may be seen 

 running down the mountain sides into it at one 

 time. Moreover it is situate in the heart of almost 

 the heaviest rainfall in the country. Raising the 

 level of the lake was done by constructing a dam 

 across its northern end, across the effluent, St. 

 John's Beck. The effect of this has been to raise 

 the level of the lake by 20 feet, which has in- 

 creased its area from 330 acres to 565 acres. By 

 raising the lake to 50 feet (which can be done 

 without further outlay) an area of 793 acres will 

 be obtained. 



When the conversion of Thirlmere was pro- 

 posed, a great outcry was raised against it mainly 

 on aesthetic grounds. The result, however, is a 

 splendid justification for those who have carried out 

 the scheme, and is moreover a magnificent triumph 

 of engineering skill. Instead of the scenery being 

 marred, it has been improved. Art has excelled 

 nature. The new Thirlmere is a finer sheet of 

 water than the old ; its sides have been planted ; an 

 entirely new road has been made along its western 

 shore ; while on its eastern side the old tortuous 

 track has been substituted by a splendid 36-feet 

 road, one of the best pieces of " macadam " in 

 the country. 



The Thirlmere of old contained trout, pike and 

 perch, and for its trout it was justly famous. The 

 peaty holes, known as Wythburn bogs, contained 

 fine yellow trout, and good fish could always be 

 obtained near the mouths of the numerous feeders. 

 Now, being the private property of the Manchester 

 Corporation, Thirlmere is closed to the angler ; 

 although, since its completion, it has been restocked 

 with trout. The probabilities are, from what can 



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