WFD Lake Water Bodies Cycle 4 Classification 2025

This is a polygon dataset showing Water Framework Directive (WFD) Lake Water Bodies, which was created to meet the requirements of the WFD. This dataset provides attribution relating to the 2025 classification results, as well as other relevant information and data about each lake water body. Article 2, clause 5 of the WFD defines them as '…a body of standing inland surface water'. Lake water bodies which are artificial and modified are included within this dataset. However, generally only lakes above 50 hectares are assessed under the WFD except for lakes in protected areas, where a minimum of 5.0 hectares is used. Lakes below this threshold are not included within this dataset unless allocated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as supplied by Natural England. Any lake judged to be a Drinking Water Protected Area is included in this dataset. Lake polygons are based on Ordnance Survey data from OS OpenMap - Local data. There is a layer file associated with this dataset. The layer file is called WFD_Lake_Water_Bodies_Cycle_4_Classification_2025_Ecological_Class.lyrx. The layer file displays the ecological status or potential for each lake water body. Please note that there are limitations with the shapefile format of the data. The data applies to Cycle 4 of the WFD. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2026. All rights reserved. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026.