Lound Lakes
The Lound lakes stretch along a valley between Fritton Lake and Hopton village on the Norfolk - Suffolk border. They were dug by hand about 150 years ago to create reservoirs for storing water. Essex & Suffolk Water owns the lakes and surrounding 200 acres of land.
Partnership working
The Lound Lakes nature reserve is managed through a partnership between Essex & Suffolk Water and the Broads Authority. Project officers coordinate volunteers and contractors to deliver the site Management Plan. In addition, officers from the Environment Agency and Natural England advise on site management through regular project meetings.
Water Supply
Water is abstracted from the Lound Lakes and treated to a very high standard at Lound Water Treatment Works. Around 50,000 people in Lowestoft and surrounding villages receive their water from these lakes.
Wildlife 
There are a wide variety of plants and animals at this County Wildlife Site. Important habitats like acid grassland, rush pasture and mixed woodland provide good conditions for many mammals, reptiles, birds and insects, including otters, toads, kingfishers and many types of dragonfly.
Access
A network of public and permissive footpaths meanders across the site. Many local people use these paths for dog-walking, bird-watching and quiet countryside walks. In the last few years wheelchair access paths have been added, the bird-hide has been renovated, and the barn has been converted for use by staff and volunteers.
Land Management
Most of the grassland is managed through a Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This provides grant funding for contractors to carry out management of meadows, hedges and scrub to benefit wildlife. Areas of woodland are also managed to increase biodiversity.
Volunteers
The Friends of Lound Lakes are a group of local people who help the site warden to manage the area. These volunteers meet regularly to maintain footpaths, manage habitats and control invasive species. More helpers are always welcome!
Catchment Management
Good water quality in streams and lakes is important for lake ecology, as well as water treatment. A Catchment Officer is employed to work with local farmers to promote environmentally sensitive farming. By providing advice and support, the aim is to reduce nutrients leaching from fields and reaching the lakes.
Read more here in the Lound Lakes Newsletter (pdf document) [638kb]
