The lake at Worcester College is the most iconic feature of its 26 acres
of gardens and grounds. Now over 200 years old, the lake is at risk due to
leaks in its construction and poor water health. It is a priority for the
College to restore the lake and ensure it can remain at the heart of the
Worcester landscape for generations to come.
What's the problem?
The lake is leaking in several places, particularly near the Provost’s Bridge and along the western bank. This leaks pose a serious risk to the lake’s survival and are a priority to fix, but the work will be highly complex and specialist.
Plus, poor water quality is causing degradation to the aquatic and plant life in the lake, and reducing its biodiversity. This is due to the build-up of silt and organic matter on the lakebed. This causes high nitrogen levels that allow algae to bloom and shade out aquatic plants. The reduced depth of the lake raises the temperature of the water which further reduces the species that can survive.
What's the solution?
An expert team will be coming in to assess the lakebed, identify the
leaks and seal them, which will involve serious underwater work. The lake will
be dredged too, to allow our beautiful aquatic flora and fauna to flourish once
more.
A message from Head Gardener Simon
Everyone who comes to Worcester has a memory that involves the gardens. It is the heart of the College grounds and very special to us all. We desperately need your help to protect it for future generations.