Thirlmere
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- For the village in Australia, see Thirlmere, New South Wales.
Thirlmere is a reservoir in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England. It runs roughly south to north and is bordered on the eastern side by the A591 road and on the western side by a minor road.
[edit] History
The original Thirlmere was a smaller lake than it is today. The growth of the industrial city of Manchester during the 19th century had led to an increased demand for water. The water-level was raised by construction of a dam by the Manchester Corporation at the northern end of Thirlmere, in 1890–1894. The reservoir was then able to supply water to Manchester via the Thirlmere Aqueduct, roughly 100 miles long.
[edit] Geography
The name is sometimes also applied to the whole valley, which connects Grasmere in the south with the Vale of Keswick in the north. The highest point in the valley is Dunmail Raise. The A591 runs the length of the valley and goes over Dunmail Raise. The road is sometimes shut in winter when there is heavy snowfall and Dunmail Raise in impassable.
The Helvellyn ridge lies to the east of Thirlmere. To the west of Thirlmere are a number of fells; for instance, Armboth Fell and Raven Crag both of which give views of the lake.
[edit] Management
The reservoir and surrounding forested valley is owned and managed by United Utilities, a private water and utility company.
Bassenthwaite Lake • Buttermere • Coniston Water • Crummock Water • Derwent Water • Ennerdale Water • Esthwaite Water • Grasmere • Haweswater Reservoir • Loweswater • Rydal Water • Tarn Hows • Thirlmere • Ullswater • Wast Water • Windermere
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