We will be closing Clevedon Marine Lake on Sunday, October 4th 2020 until Thursday, October 15th. During this time, we will drain all the water from the lake and bring in the digger to remove as much silt as possible. We will also mend a broken penstock and do other essential cleaning and maintenance work.
The lower promenade around the lake will be out of bounds from October 5th to 9th.
Why are we draining the lake?
Clevedon has the third highest tidal range in the world. Along with strong currents, the huge tides stop the silt in the Bristol Channel from settling — that’s why the Bristol Channel looks brown! When the tide comes over the lake wall, it brings silt, which settles on the lake bed. If we don’t remove the silt, it’ll build up and the lake will get shallower. It’s also important for better water quality that we remove the mud.
Who cleans and maintains the lake?
A charity called Marlens (Marine Lake Enthusiasts) looks after the lake. It raises funds to pay for the licence to remove the silt, hire a digger and pay for its maintenance. Marlens is run by volunteers, and everyone who lends a hand with the cleaning and maintenance is also a volunteer.
We need your help
Many hands make light work. If would like to get stuck in and help with the cleaning we welcome helpers of all ages (under 16s must have a grown-up helper with them). Please email volunteer@clevedonmarinelake.co.uk
We also need to raise funds to pay for this vital work. It costs about £20k a year to keep the lake in tip-top condition, so please consider becoming a friend of the lake, donating or joining our lottery.
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