What is a catchment?
Many people have heard of "school catchment areas" which refer to the areas of towns and villages where schools take their pupils from.
It means a similar thing when referring to ecology and geography. In this context, a catchment is the area of land, including the hills and mountains, woodlands, and buildings which water drains from, before flowing into the streams, rivers, lakes and tarns.
Windermere catchment
For example the Windermere Catchment includes rivers such as the Rothay, Brathay and Troutbeck, as well as tarns and lakes including Grasmere, Rydal Water, Esthwaite and Elterwater.
Bassenthwaite catchment
You can view the Bassenthwaite Reflections Programme - Catchment map (opens in new window)
