When a glacier moves along its valley, changes in the rate of flow caused by extension or compression may lead to increased deepening of sections of the valley floor. Areas of softer rock may also experience increased deepening. When the glacier retreats, the deepened sections fill with melt water and become lakes. These lakes remain long after glaciation has ended, supplied by rainfall and subsequent streams and rivers. The English Lake district owes its character to these narrow ribbon lakes along its valley floors.

View from the top of Helvellyn (English Lake District) with a ribbon lake, Ullswater, in the background.

In the foreground of the picture above, you can see aretes to the left and right of Christopher. A few feet behind him is the top of the corrie backwall, and behind him is Ullswater, a ribbon lake.

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