Abstract
DR. H. R. MILL has recently made a systematic bathymetrical survey of the larger lakes of Cumberland and Lancashire, the cost being defrayed by a grant from the council of the Royal Geographical Society. The soundings designed to delineate the general configuration of the various lake basins, were made at close intervals along a series of lines crossing the lake at right angles to its axis, and never more than half a mile apart. These tranverse sections were connected by oblique sections, along which the soundings were more widely spaced, and in addition longitudinal sections were made whenever it was practicable to do so. In Derwentwater the greatest depth found was 72 feet, but the surface of the lake was much below its usual level, being lower, probably, than has ever previously been recorded. Bassenthwaite Lake, though simpler in configuration, was found to have about the same maximum depth. Ullswater, the largest lake in England except Windermere, was found to have a depth of 208 feet, but it is quite possible that deeper soundings might be obtained. This lake was remarkably interesting on account of its division into a series of deep basins separated from each other by wide bars, from the most pronounced of which a rocky islet rises showing the characteristic marks of ice-erosion very clearly. Coniston Lake is simpler, being one practically straight deep trough, the deepest part of which is at least 184 feet below the surface. Wast water was similar in configuration, though of much greater depth, an area one mile long and a quarter of a mile wide being deeper than 250 feet. The flatness of the floor of this depression may be judged by the fact that 258 feet was the greatest depth found in it. Samples of the deposit from different parts of each lake were secured, and will be examined by a specialist. Temperature observations were also made. It is probable that a similar survey of Windermere will be undertaken in the beginning of September.
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Geographical Notes. Nature 48, 327 (1893). https://doi.org/10.1038/048327a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/048327a0