The flat bottom of the valley was bog before being drained for the benefit of farmers. In recent years there has been controversy about the cost of the pumps that keep the valley drained. For some years the pumping has been funded by the
Environment Agency, but the Agency decided that its resources would be better deployed in more populated areas of Cumbria. The creation of an
Internal drainage board for the valley has been discussed as an alternative.
Ecological implications There have been objections from environmentalists to a drainage regime that does not take account of the valley's contribution to biodiversity. It is argued that a less intensive drainage scheme would benefit wildlife, and still allow farming or
paludiculture. In 2014 it was reported that 35
ha of wetland habitat was being created in the Lyth Valley on the edge of the
Sizergh estate. The project received funding from
Natural England as part of a
higher level stewardship scheme. It was hoped to attract
bittern and other wildlife. ==References==