Thermal Stratification Timing In Four Cumbrian Lakes 1951-2017

67 years of lake monitoring data tracks the onset, end, and duration of thermal stratification in four Cumbrian lakes. The dataset, supported by the UK-SCAPE programme, provides a long-term climate indicator for Blelham Tarn, Esthwaite Water, and Windermere's north and south basins.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term change in stratification onset day of year to detect climate warming signals.
• Model relationships between stratification duration and annual climatic conditions for the four lakes.
• Compare stratification overturn timing between Windermere's north and south basins.

Strengths

• Covers a 67-year temporal range from 1951 to 2017.
• Provides data for four distinct lake bodies in the United Kingdom.
• Focuses on three specific, measurable events: onset, end, and total length of stratification.

Limitations

• Geographic scope is limited to four lakes in Cumbria, United Kingdom.
• Sample data and column structure are unavailable for detailed inspection.
• Data ends in 2017, requiring supplementation for contemporary climate analysis.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre, supported by Natural Environment Research Council award NE/R016429/1.

Collection Method

Long-term environmental monitoring as part of the UK-SCAPE programme.

Time Range

1951-2017

Freshness

Metadata last updated March 2026, but underlying data covers up to 2017.

Geography

Blelham Tarn, Esthwaite Water, Windermere north basin, Windermere south basin, Cumbria, United Kingdom.