CALLS for action have been made to 'save one of Runcorn's best loved spaces' as many say water levels are dropping once again at a popular boating lake.
Heath Park lake has been a well-loved attraction in Runcorn for many years.
Home to a model boating club, the lake was the centre of concern and calls for action last year by residents after water levels dropped dramatically, leaving many fearing for its future, along with the wildlife that lives within it.
Previously, Halton Council leader Mike Wharton spoke publicly last year about how a lack of rainfall had effected water levels in the lake.
Meanwhile it was noted by Councillor Wharton that work to run pipe from a reservoir to the lake was proposed to be done by United Utilities.
A year on, and residents are back calling for Halton Borough Council to take action as they say the water levels are dropping as low as the previous year already.
Many saying that 'parks, lakes, and town spaces should never become political afterthoughts'.
“These places belong to everybody,” one resident said. “They should have protected funding and proper attention from the council.”
Cliff Arrowsmith of the Runcorn and District Scale Model Boat Club, raised his concerns online.
"Here we go again,” he said. “Nothing has changed apart from the level.
"They’ve had almost twelve months to repair and fill the lake."
Mr Arrowsmith said members of the public regularly stop boat club members asking what is happening to the lake.
“The only answer we can give them, is that the lake is not high on their list."
Echoing his concerns, local Conn O'Dwyer said: "There was a time when the waters of Heath Park Lake carried everything from swans and ducks to lovingly crafted model boats.
"On a sunny afternoon, families would gather around the banks, children would feed the birds, and members of the Runcorn and District Scale Model Boat Club would launch vessels that had taken months, sometimes years, to build.
"Today, many of those boats remain firmly in dry dock. The problem isn't a lack of enthusiasm—It's a lack of water."
Mr O'Dwyer highilighted concerns from residents that the lake walls 'may be leaking'.
"At the official measuring point, the lake should stand at around 30 inches deep," he said.
"Winter rainfall managed to raise the level to approximately 16 inches after the lake had almost dried out completely.
"Since then, residents monitoring the water level say it has been dropping by around one inch every week.
"It now stands at roughly eight inches."
Residents have made clear they are looking for some sort of action plan to secure the future of the lake.
A Halton Borough Council spokesperson responded, stating the council 'understands the concerns of residents over the water level reductions that were expereinced in 2025'.
They said: "This came about mainly because of prolonged severe high temperatures and drought conditions, as well as the disconnection by United Utilities of the potable water supply that had previously been in place to top up water levels.
"The Council has been monitoring water levels in the pond and considers that they are not currently lower than this time last year."
Addressing concersn of a leak in the pond, they added: "Over the winter the structure of the pond was assessed by structural engineers and found to be in good order, confirming that the pond does not leak.
"Only two minor repairs were identified as being required to ensure walls remain in good order and these works have since been completed.
Also, over the winter, water levels recovered quickly proving that the natural inputs via land drainage from surrounding areas works well.
"The main reason for water levels dropping is low rainfall combined with evaporation due to high temperatures exacerbated by the shallow design of the pond."
A council spokesperson noted that 'correct pond water level is at the bottom of the land drainage inlet pipes and not higher' due to prevention of waterlogging and 'adverse drainage conditions to the surrounding park and playground'.
They continued: "Regarding artificially adding drinking water to help regulate levels, this has been investigated and would be against best practice and environmental legislation (Water Resources Act 1991, The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England & Wales) Regulations 2017, Environment Act 2021 and Habitats Regulations), as well as being potentially costly.
"Potable water contains chemicals that are detrimental to the natural environment and, as a result, and even with the ability to top up the water, this is an incredibly complicated situation. As a responsible body, we cannot take actions that may pollute the environment.
"It should be noted that even if we were able to provide water, the pond will function perfectly with a fluctuating level without any adverse impact on the natural habitat or wildlife."
"The Council has maintained discussions with the Environment Agency (EA) who have advised that any discharges to the environment, other than clean, uncontaminated water, such as clean rainwater from roofs or dewatered groundwater, require an environmental permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016," they said.
It was further highlighted that the EA has recommended that HBC develops a proposal outline fo the arrangement of water supply to the lake.
"While we cannot say at this stage what the outcome of this process may be, residents can be assured that the Council is looking at all options with regards to Runcorn Hill Pond," they added.
The council spokesperson stated that Runcorn Hill Park, where the lake is situated, underwent 'substantial improvements' back in 2016, thanks to a £2m Heritage Big Lottery Parks for People grant.
Meanwhile more than £250k has been invested in the park from 2016 and 2024.
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