FOUW's new Citizen Science Freshwater Ecology Project takes off

The essential idea behind this project is to establish within the Ullswater Valley catchment area a capacity within the local community to understand and monitor the dynamics of the ecology of Ullswater. Various agencies, such as the Environment Agency, already undertake water quality monitoring work. In addition, every 5 years the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) based in Lancaster University undertakes a general survey of the phytoplankton and microfauna. However, these analyses are rarely made available in a digestible form to the local population.

A key product of this work will be to establish a baseline understanding of Ullswater’s ecology and identify positive ways of improving water quality, where appropriate and feasible.

Our preliminary discussions with a number of key resource people suggest that the timing of this project fits extremely well with a number of  initiatives which are currently ongoing: i) a 12 month project by Natural England (NE) and UKCEH to map and identify key habitats on Ullswater’s lakeshore- the draft final report is being finalised; ii)  A NE Cumbrian Nature Recovery Strategy which is currently seeking approval from the Westmorland & Furness Council (WFC); iii) an ongoing Freshwater Biological Association (FBA)/Eden Rivers Trust (ERT) Priority Habitat project in Northern Eden; iv) WFC’s Nature & Biodiversity Action Plan; and v) a pioneering FBA ‘Lakefly’ project based on a similar methodology to their Riverfly project is about to start. The lakes for the pilot are currently being selected and the FBA has chosen Ullswater to be one of them.  In addition, the Eden Valley’s Catchment-Based Approach Partnership, (CaBA) currently chaired by the ERT, is considering initiating a working group to have an overview on all these activities within the Ullswater valley catchment area.

Whilst current information suggests that the threats to the integrity of the Ullswater ecosystem are currently relatively low, the recurrence of algal blooms, the low number of fish in the lake compared to historical levels, the past extinction of certain fish species such as the Arctic charr and the presence of ‘protected’ species such as the schelly, all militate in favour of broadening our understanding of Ullswater’s ecology.  We know that at certain times of the year the amount of waste containing plastics and non-biodegradable material discarded on the lakeshore reaches worrying levels. We note that increasing numbers of people are swimming and paddleboarding on the lake.

Somewhat surprisingly, we understand that no-one has ever undertaken E.coli and other bacterial tests in Ullswater. Although these are quite costly – up to £50 /sample to analyse – we have been strongly recommended to include some at some limited sites (perhaps 10) where people regularly swim in Ullswater. 

By coincidence a three-year University of York study starts in September 2025 and will analyse the history of fisheries in Ullswater since records first began.

To the best of our knowledge no-one has assessed the Ullswater community’s interests, views or concerns on the water quality of Ullswater.

First Step: a Public Survey

We decided to conduct a public survey as a vital first step in framing any future interventions - what the FBA considers to be the ‘gold’ standard in planning projects of this sort. This survey was launched in July and closed on 7th August. It was primarily addressed at local people.

The results demonstrate a major public interest in this programme. 78 % of those questioned have concerns about the ecology of the lake and 53% consider that the situation is deteriorating. The main concerns are water quality, algal blooms and sewage.  An astonishing 99 % supported the undertaking of the project.

FOUW will now analyse the results in detail with a view to determining the main issues to be addressed in any sampling regime and volunteer training programme. It will also initiate with the Ullswater Association and other partners a reflection on the most appropriate way of engaging with civil society groups, schools and relevant local/regional authorities to conduct regular monitoring of the ecology of Ullswater. FOUW participated in the FBA’s first Lakefly training programme which started in August. The FBA will also conduct a bespoke Lakefly programme for our volunteers in September.

Within the time available before December it will not be possible to complete more than a few surveys. It should be noted of course that the ecology of the lake varies during the year so results will be seasonal. But it should be possible to establish an assessment of the community’s main concerns and interests and establish a methodology, best practices, and a system for conducting such surveys in following years to address these concerns. Whilst the population within the project area is numerically rather small – about 4,000 people - the Ullswater valley receives about 500,000 visitors per year, from a wide range of backgrounds. The annual influx of so many visitors has an inevitable impact on the demand for clean water.

Timetable

In the period before the end of 2025 a number of phases are planned:

• Informal consultation with a wide range of interest groups and stakeholders (ongoing)

• Identification of the main elements of a freshwater ecology training course to be developed for volunteers with the support of the Field Studies Council at Blencathra, with specialist input from the FBA, UKCEH and Eden Rivers Trust (ERT), as well as the Outward Bound and Patterdale Hall. Some secondary schools (such as Ullswater Community College (UCC) and QUEGS are currently being approached to participate with the support of Another Way and the Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC).  (September/October)

• Identification of potential volunteers for training (September/October)

• Risk Management Analysis; Stakeholder Plan (September)

• Identification of initial sampling sites on the lakeshore – with the appropriate permission of landowners (September/October)

• Presentation of the project to the Eden Valley Partnership (CaBA) (September)

• Acquisition of appropriate sampling equipment once the content of the training course is finalised and conduct of first training courses (September/October)

• Carrying out of first sampling regimes and analysis of initial results (October/November)

• Evaluation of project initial outcomes (November/December)

• Report to the FCGF (December)

• Identify potential funding sources and Preparation of the next phase (December)

Understanding Ullswater Talk on Freshwater Ecology

A FOUW Understanding Ullswater Talk scheduled for 6th November in Glenridding Village Hall will be given by Dr Louise Lavictoire, Head of Science at the FBA. This will be an opportunity for a wide-ranging discussion on the project and its place within the FBA’s overall programme in the UK, and the Lake District in particular.

Annex: Basic Information links and websites

• Two articles written for a lay audience and published in the FOUW’s Heritage Knowledge Bank give some information on the  Ecology of the lake and the status of its Fisheries 

• Field Studies Council: Existing courses: Freshwater Ecology  

• UKCEH Lake monitoring; Report from the 2021 ‘Lakes Tour’ programme undertaken by the UKCEH ; Overview of Cumbrian Lake monitoring 

• The EA’s  Citizen Science - working together! | Engage Environment Agency; Catchment Data Explorer (Ullswater Ecological Data); Outfall Safari Guide; Fish & Ecology data;  Water quality:  x-webdoc://0D655B80-2D2C-455E-8CF6-E9F34DE8FF4C

• Rivers Trust Sewage guide

• FBA’s Lakefly Citizen Science; Freshwater Priority Habitats; Naturalness Data;

• Eden Rivers Trust: Priority https://edenriverstrust.org.uk/things-to-do/priority-river-habitat-survey-training/;

• Catchment Systems Thinking Co-op (CaSTCo): River monitoring: https://castco.org/knowledge-base/monitoring-purpose/;  https://castco.org/knowledge-base/defining-your-purpose/

• West Country Rivers Trust:

• WFC Nature and Biodiversity Action Plan:

• Eden Rivers Trust; Sewage guide: Catchment Partnership (CaBA); https://www.edenriverstrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Revitalising-Eden-Catchment-Plan-WEB.pdf;