Easky Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Easky Lough |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Sligo |
| Coordinates | 54°9′17″N 8°51′3″W / 54.15472°N 8.85083°W |
| Lake type | Glacial lake |
| Native name | Loch Iascaí Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary outflows | Easky River |
| Catchment area | 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 2.0 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.19 km2 (0.46 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Max. depth | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 180 m (590 ft) |
Easky Lough (which means Irish: Loch Iascaí in Irish), also called Easkey Lough or Lough Easky, is a beautiful freshwater lake in the northwest of Ireland. You can find it in the western part of County Sligo, nestled within the Ox Mountains. It's a great spot to learn about nature and how lakes are formed!
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Exploring Easky Lough's Location
Easky Lough is located about 13 kilometers (8 miles) south of a village called Easky. If you were to drive from Sligo, it would be about 45 kilometers (28 miles) away. The lake sits quite high up, at an elevation of 180 meters (590 feet) above sea level. It covers an area of about 1.19 square kilometers (0.46 square miles).
How Was Easky Lough Formed?
Easky Lough is a special type of lake called a Glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by huge sheets of ice, known as glaciers. As these glaciers moved, they carved out the land, creating hollows that later filled with water when the ice melted. This process shaped many of the lakes and valleys you see in Ireland today.
Water Flow: Inflows and Outflows
The water in Easky Lough comes from several small mountain streams. These streams flow into the lake at its southeastern end, bringing fresh water from the surrounding hills.
The Easky River's Journey
From Easky Lough, the water flows out to the north, forming the start of the Easky River. This river then travels northwards until it reaches the vast Atlantic Ocean near Easky village. It's like the lake is a starting point for a river's journey to the sea!
Amazing Wildlife in Easky Lough
Easky Lough is home to several types of fish. You can find brown trout and salmon swimming in its waters. It's also a habitat for the European eel, which is a critically endangered species, meaning it's very important to protect them!
Protecting the Ox Mountains Bogs
Easky Lough is part of a larger protected area called the Ox Mountains Bogs Special Area of Conservation. This means the area is recognized for its important natural habitats and wildlife, and efforts are made to keep it healthy and safe for all the plants and animals that live there. It's a great example of how we protect our natural world!
