Thurstonfield Lough
Encyclopedia
Thurstonfield Lough is the largest, species-rich area of open water in the lowlands of north and east Cumbria
, England
. Within this area it supports some of the best examples of a range of vegetation types: from the submerged aquatics through an extensive fringing marsh to good wet sallow and alder woodland. The Lough lies in the Solway Plain of north Cumbria, 5 km west of the City of Carlisle
. It is formed in boulder clay and is thought to be a natural feature although the water levels are now controlled by sluice
. In addition to its vegetation interest the Lough is relatively undisturbed and supports a notable invertebrate fauna and a good range of waterfowl.
Thurstonfield Lough was used as the header tank for the water courses which run toward the Solway Firth
. These streams powered corn mills, with different mills working on different days of the week to maintain the flow of water. The establishment of the Lough and its sluice
, which still survives today, provided water to the mills even in times of low rainfall. This water management allowed each settlement down stream to run its own mill. It is now run as a holiday business called the Tranquil Otter, more info and to book is at www.thetranquilotter.co.uk
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Within this area it supports some of the best examples of a range of vegetation types: from the submerged aquatics through an extensive fringing marsh to good wet sallow and alder woodland. The Lough lies in the Solway Plain of north Cumbria, 5 km west of the City of Carlisle
City of Carlisle
The City of Carlisle is a local government district of Cumbria, England, with the status of a city and non-metropolitan district. It is named after its largest settlement, Carlisle, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Brampton and Longtown, as well as outlying villages...
. It is formed in boulder clay and is thought to be a natural feature although the water levels are now controlled by sluice
Sluice
A sluice is a water channel that is controlled at its head by a gate . For example, a millrace is a sluice that channels water toward a water mill...
. In addition to its vegetation interest the Lough is relatively undisturbed and supports a notable invertebrate fauna and a good range of waterfowl.
Thurstonfield Lough was used as the header tank for the water courses which run toward the Solway Firth
Solway Firth
The Solway Firth is a firth that forms part of the border between England and Scotland, between Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway. It stretches from St Bees Head, just south of Whitehaven in Cumbria, to the Mull of Galloway, on the western end of Dumfries and Galloway. The Isle of Man is also very...
. These streams powered corn mills, with different mills working on different days of the week to maintain the flow of water. The establishment of the Lough and its sluice
Sluice
A sluice is a water channel that is controlled at its head by a gate . For example, a millrace is a sluice that channels water toward a water mill...
, which still survives today, provided water to the mills even in times of low rainfall. This water management allowed each settlement down stream to run its own mill. It is now run as a holiday business called the Tranquil Otter, more info and to book is at www.thetranquilotter.co.uk