Annaghmore Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Annaghmore Lough |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Roscommon |
| Coordinates | 53°48′2″N 8°9′29″W / 53.80056°N 8.15806°W |
| Native name | Loch an Eanaigh Mhóir Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Scramogue River |
| Catchment area | 3.96 km2 (1.5 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 1.3 km (0.8 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.7 km (0.4 mi) |
| Surface area | 0.53 km2 (0.20 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 46 m (151 ft) |
Annaghmore Lough (in Irish, Loch an Eanaigh Mhóir, meaning 'lake of the big marsh') is a beautiful freshwater lake in the west of Ireland. It is located in County Roscommon, and its waters flow into the upper part of the famous River Shannon.
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Where is Annaghmore Lough?
Annaghmore Lough is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) northwest of the town of Strokestown. This lake is special because it sits right in the middle of several smaller lakes. These lakes were all formed by glaciers a very long time ago.
Amazing Wildlife and Plants
Annaghmore Lough is home to many different kinds of animals and plants. It's a really important place for nature!
Fish in the Lake
In 2008, scientists checked the lake and found six types of fish living there. These included common fish like perch, roach, rudd, and pike. They also found tench and three-spined stickleback. Sadly, they also found the European eel, which is a critically endangered species. This means it's in great danger of disappearing forever.
Birds and Special Plants
Annaghmore Lough is a very important place for birds. It's like a safe home for many different species. Some rare birds that visit here include the whooper swan and the golden plover. Other birds you might see are teal, shoveler, wigeon, mallard, pochard, goldeneye, lapwing, and curlew.
The lake and the wet, grassy areas around it are so important that they are protected. This area is called the Annaghmore Lough (Roscommon) Special Area of Conservation. This means it's a special place where nature is looked after.
Around the edges of the lake, you'll find lots of plants growing. There's a plant called common club-rush that grows closer to the water. Behind it, you'll see beds of common reed. There are also large areas of fen, which is a type of wetland. These fens have a plant called black bog-rush growing in them.
When the lake floods in winter, it creates wet grasslands. Here, you can find the common butterwort, which is a cool plant that eats insects! You might also spot beautiful orchids, like the early marsh orchid and the fragrant orchid. Many other rare plants grow in these wet meadows and fens.
The area also has a small section of limestone pavement, which is a unique rocky landscape. There's also an old peat bog that has been cut, which adds even more different types of plants to the area.
Even tiny creatures are important here! Two groups of a rare snail called Vertigo geyeri live in the area. This snail is so special that it's listed in a European law (the E.U. Habitats Directive) to make sure it's protected.
