Glencar Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glencar Lough |
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West towards Benbulbin
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Leitrim, County Sligo |
| Coordinates | 54°20′22″N 8°23′9″W / 54.33944°N 8.38583°W |
| Lake type | Glacial lake |
| Native name | Loch Ghleann an Chairthe Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Glencar Waterfall, Diffreen River |
| Primary outflows | Drumcliff River |
| Catchment area | 41.22 km2 (16 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 2.5 km (1.6 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.6 km (0.4 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.15 km2 (0.44 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 28 m (92 ft) |
Glencar Lough (which means "lake of the glen of the pillar stone" in Irish), also known as Glencar Lake, is a beautiful freshwater lake in the northwest of Ireland. It covers an area of about 1.15 square kilometers (284 acres). Most of the lake is in County Leitrim, with a smaller part in County Sligo. The famous Glencar Waterfall is located very close to the lake's northern shore.
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Exploring Glencar Lough's Location
Glencar Lough sits in the lovely Glencar Valley. This valley is surrounded by mountains. To the north are the Dartry Mountains, and to the south are mountains like Cope's Mountain. The lake is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of Sligo town. It is also about 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Manorhamilton.
The lake stretches about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) from west to east. It is about 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) wide. Glencar Lough has two crannogs, which are old artificial islands. One crannog is at the western end, near where the Drumcliff River flows out. The other is at the eastern end, close to the Diffreen River.
How Water Flows in Glencar Lough
Glencar Lough gets most of its water from two main sources. One is the famous Glencar Waterfall, which tumbles into the lake on its northern shore. The other is the Diffreen River, which flows into the lake at its eastern end. Another stream, called Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird, also flows into the northern shore, just west of the waterfall's entry point.
The lake's water then flows out to the west into the Drumcliff River. This river eventually makes its way to Sligo Bay. The deepest parts of Glencar Lough are usually found near its southern shore. The northern shore tends to be shallower.
Animals and Plants of Glencar Lough
Glencar Lough is home to different kinds of fish. You can find salmon and brown trout swimming in its waters.
Many birds also visit the lake. Some of the birds you might see include tufted ducks, pochards, and goldeneyes. These birds are migratory, meaning they travel to Glencar Lough to spend the winter months there.
Protecting the Lake's Environment
Around 2001-2003, the water quality in Glencar Lough was considered excellent. It was rated as "oligotrophic," which means it had very clear water with low levels of nutrients.
However, like many other waterways in Ireland, Glencar Lough faces threats from invasive species. These are plants or animals that are not native to the area and can harm the local environment. Some of these invasive species include curly waterweed, zebra mussels, and freshwater clams. Protecting the lake from these species is important for its future health.
A Glimpse into Glencar's Past
Long ago, the Glencar Valley was known as Glenn-Dallain. It was part of an old kingdom called Kingdom of Breifne. The lake and its crannogs (the artificial islands) are mentioned in old Irish writings called the Annals of the Four Masters. These writings tell us about events from the past. For example, they mention an attack on the eastern crannog by the sons of Donough O'Rourke, who secretly set fire to the settlement there.
Local Industries and Economy
For many years, a mineral called Barite was mined in Glencarbury, which is in the Dartry Mountains above the lake. This mining took place between 1894 and 1979. To move the barite from the mine down to the lake shore, a special cable ropeway was built in 1942. From the lake shore, the barite was then transported by road.
Today, the Glencar Water Company has its bottling plant near the lake's northern shore. This company started in 2008. They sell water that comes from a natural spring. This spring flows from inside the nearby Dartry Mountains, providing fresh water for bottling.
Images for kids
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West towards Benbulbin
See also
In Spanish: Lago Glencar para niños
