Gadloch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gadloch |
|
|---|---|
Highland Cattle with the Gadloch in the background, viewed from the Crosshill Road direction
|
|
 Gadloch
Location in North Lanarkshire
|
|
| Location | North Lanarkshire |
| Coordinates | 55°54′48″N 4°09′47″W / 55.913428°N 4.163132°W |
| Lake type | freshwater loch |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Surface area | 52 acres (21 hectares) |
| Average depth | 8 feet (2.4 metres) |
| Settlements | Auchinloch, Lenzie |
The Gadloch (also colloquially referred to as Lenzie Loch) is a fresh water loch in North Lanarkshire, situated near the town of Lenzie, Scotland.
To the south of the loch is the small village of Auchinloch, the village's name means "Field of the Loch" and derives from its proximity to the Gadloch.
History
The Gadloch was originally much larger, but was reduced by the addition of a drainage tunnel. Local folklore has it that the tunnel was excavated by Napoleonic Prisoners of War, though it is generally accepted that the tunnel predates that period. Following this the drained land was used for agricultural purposes and farms were built at the east and west ends of the Gadloch. The 18th century Easter Gadloch Farm has been left unoccupied for a number of years. Over the years, the tunnel has become compromised, and the water levels of the loch are rising back towards their earlier height. Parkhillhead Farm overlooks the loch from the south.
Curling
In Winters when there is thick enough ice the Gadloch is often used for Curling and has been for many years. Postcards were made showing curlers on the Gadloch in 1910 and 100 years later in Winter 2010/2011 curlers were again shown to be active on the Gadloch. Cadder Curling Club was previously based in an old railway wagon on the edge of the Gadloch.
Wildlife
Bird watchers are frequently seen at the Gadloch as it has a variety of bird species present and has been known to attract rare and non-native species as well, some possibly escaped from captivity. For instance, in the 1970s, white pelicans were sighted on the loch.
Flooding
Flooding from the Gadloch severe enough to close the neighbouring roads has been common for many years. In more recent years the Gadloch's drainage tunnel has collapsed and the water levels have risen even further, flooding into the nearby Lenzie Golf Course and affecting the nearby Farms and Crosshill Road. In 2011/2012 parts of the golf course were ruined by the flooding and four different fairways had to be relaid and returfed after the Gadloch encroached more than 200 metres onto the greens. The heights reached by the water have become such a problem that the Lenzie community council has created a special section of its website to deal with coverage of the issue. In the winter time the frozen Gadloch covers the path to Auchinloch and members of the public have been taken to hospital after falling through the ice.
Gallery
-
Gadloch from Crosshill Road
-
Southwest view across Gadloch Towards the distant Red Road Flats.
-
Gadloch
-
Wester Gadloch Farm, locally known as Loch Farm,the Gadloch can be seen in the distance
-
Lenzie from the air, Gadloch is in the foreground.
-
-
-
.jpg)
Images for kids
-
Early 1900s view of skaters on the frozen Gadloch
-
Frozen Gadloch, Winter 2010
-
Frozen floodwater extending into Golf Course
