'Haweswater'

Location : Bampton / Shap
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 480140.

Photo by Ann Bowker

Haweswater is now one of the largest lakes at 4 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, and has a maximum depth of 200 feet . It is the most easterly of the lakes, and has no settlements on its shores. In 1929, despite many petitions against it, a bill was passed by Parliament authorising the use of Haweswater as a reservoir for Manchester. A concrete dam, 1550 feet wide and 120 feet high was built, and this raised the lake level by 95 feet.

All the farms and houses of the villages of Mardale and Measand, and the Dun Bull Inn were pulled down. Coffins were removed from the graveyard, and buried elsewhere, and Mardale church was demolished. At times of drought, when the water level is low, many people go back to see what is left of the village of Mardale.