Supporting Wildlife and Wetlands During High Waters
With the substantial rainfall across the county in recent weeks, river levels have risen dramatically, causing flooded paths and extended lake edges at Stanwick Lakes. Walking routes are accessible once again, although we advise wearing wellies or waterproof walking boots, as some areas may remain wet and uneven. Worst affected is the adventure trail – which is passable with wellies – please exercise caution to avoid wet feet!
While floods across Northamptonshire (and the rest of Europe) can be devastating to people, homes, and livelihoods, at Stanwick Lakes, they are a normal part of our wetland landscape – Stanwick Lakes is a floodplain, after all! Thanks to the flood-defence bund installed some years ago, our visitor centre and adventure play area remain open, except during the most extreme weather conditions. So you can almost always pay us a visit and enjoy a day out, and enjoy the scenery without venturing far. You can find more information on opening times and flood levels on our website and social media.
For the latest updates: Water levels and walking routes | Stanwick Lakes
Floodwaters or Flourishing Habitats?
Floodplain landscapes like Stanwick Lakes are vital for flood management – they provide a place for excess water to go, reducing the risk of flooding in towns and cities. These landscapes also filter water as it moves through the area and support a huge diversity of wildlife. During periods of high water levels, our Ranger team often observes an increase in wildfowl and wading birds, alongside more frequent sightings of otters across the site.
What to see:
A quick overview:
- Egret
- Swans
- Otters
- Scenic landscapes
Nature’s Challenge
However, with climate change, floods are becoming more frequent and severe, presenting challenges for wildlife and the Stanwick Lakes team alike. While many of our wetland species are well adapted to fluctuating water levels, invertebrates and terrestrial mammals can struggle. Nests and burrows may be washed away, forcing species like harvest mice to search for dry land. Floods in spring can be even more problematic, impacting breeding birds by flooding nests and reducing food availability.
Having just recovered from the floods at the beginning of 2024, this recent bout of flooding has hit Stanwick Lakes hard. It has caused extensive damage to our pathways, which stretch for over 7 miles and are costly to repair. Fencing has been damaged, our conservation schedule interrupted, and an emergency livestock roundup was required to ensure the safety of all grazing animals on site.
Waters Rise, Footsteps Fall: How Fewer Visitors Affect Us
Flooding usually signifies adverse weather conditions, which, in turn, leads to fewer visitors at Stanwick Lakes. As a charity, we rely heavily on car parking charges and café sales for income, so this decline in visitor numbers has a significant financial impact on us. In times like these, every visitor, café order, gift shop purchase, or parking fee makes a difference.
Despite fewer visitors, the cost of maintaining the site remains constant, or even increases, as we work to repair damage to paths, fencing, and habitats.
Our revenue helps us cover the costs of essential repairs, especially after significant flooding events. But it also affects our ability to deliver ranger-led programmes, family activities, and conservation work, as many of these efforts depend on the financial support generated through visitor numbers.
In extreme weather, it is sometimes safer to stay home. If you’re unable to visit, donations are another way to help keep the reserve thriving, ensuring it remains accessible and safe for everyone once the waters recede.
We are hugely grateful for any donations, big or small. These contributions help keep our visitor centre open, ensure our pathways remain safe, and support our ongoing conservation efforts.
How Donations Drive Change
Donations play a critical role in helping us respond to the challenges of flooding. When paths are damaged or erosion occurs, it’s not just a matter of aesthetics – these pathways need urgent repairs to ensure they are safe for visitors and do not further impact the surrounding wildlife habitats.
Your donations also help fund the work of our ranger team, who are on the front lines of protecting and restoring our landscapes, repairing fences, monitoring wildlife, and ensuring that conservation projects stay on track.
Some of our conservation goals are long-term conservation efforts, in line with our management plan, such as habitat restoration and species protection programmes, particularly for vulnerable wildlife affected by the changing climate. Others are shorter term, such as funding an accessible bird hide or introducing accessible play equipment.
You can view our priority fundraising campaigns here.
Whether it’s fixing a footpath, replanting a hedgerow, or maintaining bird hides, your generosity makes all of this possible. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps safeguard the future of Stanwick Lakes for both wildlife and people.
To make a donation – click here.
If you plan to visit while water levels remain high, we recommend bringing wellies, walking boots, and waterproofs. Our visitor centre and adventure play area are open, and splashing around can be a fun way to experience the lakes! Don’t forget your binoculars, feel free to update us with your photos, and let us know what you see!
Keep an eye on our website for flooding updates, and ask in the Visitor Centre for advice on the best areas to explore.
Thank you for your support!
