Images have shown a lake at a popular beauty spot looking lower than expected, causing concern for some members of the public. Osbourne's Pond, at Shipley Country Park, between Heanor and Shipley, on the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire border, has been looking emptier, with water appearing drained away from the edges of the pond's bank.
Now Derbyshire County Council, the authority responsible for the park's upkeep, has explained the low levels of water, attributing it to recent repairs. It expects that the lake will return to its previous water levels in the coming weeks.
Wildlife can be seen sitting on what was once the bed of the pond. Small docks by the pond, which are often used by those fishing in the area, have been rendered unusable with the water now too far away.
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A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We lowered the level of the lake – known as Osborne’s Pond - to carry out repairs to the concrete spillway.
"We also did some work on the dam wall to help it withstand the action of the water and prolong its life. Now the work is finished, the pond is beginning to refill naturally and is expected to be back to its usual levels in the coming weeks, which we will be monitoring.”
"This comes after water levels at the pond were previously lowered in July 2022 to allow "investigations of the structure of the dam."
Routes around Osbourne's Pond and the 700-acre park are popular with runners, dog walkers, and families. Others frequent the park for activities including cycling, horse riding, bird watching, photography and exploring.
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