Kerry Blackwater facts for kids

Quick facts for kids River Blackwater
Bridge over the Blackwater
Country	Ireland
Physical characteristics
Main source	600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level
River mouth	Kenmare Bay
Length	10 kilometres (6.2 mi)

The Blackwater River is a beautiful river located in County Kerry, in the southwest part of Ireland. People often call it the Kerry Blackwater to avoid confusing it with another, much longer river also named Blackwater, which also starts in County Kerry.

Geography of the Kerry Blackwater

The Kerry Blackwater river flows through a special area called a drainage basin. This basin covers about 88 square kilometres (34 sq mi) of land. From where it begins in Lough Brin to where it meets the sea, the river is about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long. The river eventually flows into Kenmare Bay, which is on the southern side of the Iveragh Peninsula.

Fishing in the River Blackwater

The fishing in the Kerry Blackwater is carefully looked after by a group called IFI Macroom. Each year, many fish swim up this river from the sea. About 1,500 salmon and grilse (which are young salmon) come to the river.

The river is also a great place for sea trout. These fish travel through the river to reach Lough Brin and the smaller streams that feed it. People who enjoy fishing find it easy to get to the river. There are even two boats available on Lough Brin for fishing.

Wildlife and Conservation Efforts

Most of the area around the Blackwater River is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This means it's a very important place for nature and is protected. Many rare animals and plants live here.

Rare Animals in the Blackwater Area

One special creature found here is the Kerry slug. This slug is quite rare and only lives in a few places. Other important animals protected in this area include the otter, which is a playful mammal that loves water. You can also find the freshwater pearl mussel, a type of shellfish that lives in clean rivers.

The area is also very important for the lesser horseshoe bat. In 1996, about 150 of these bats were counted in one of their roosting spots! This shows how vital the area is for them. Of course, the famous Atlantic salmon, which swims up the river, is also protected here.

Important Birds and Plants

The Blackwater River area is also a key place for many birds. You might spot a peregrine falcon, which is one of the fastest birds in the world. The small but mighty merlin and the beautiful red-billed chough also live here. The hen harrier, a bird of prey, is another important resident.

Besides animals, the area is home to a plant called Hesperocodon hederaceus. This plant is not very common in Ireland, making its presence here even more special.

Local Culture and History

The land around the Kerry Blackwater is mostly used for farming. You will see many green pastures where animals graze. The area also holds ancient secrets. There is very old rock art found in the river basin. This rock art is considered some of the best and most beautiful in all of Ireland.

See also

In Spanish: Río Blackwater (Kerry) para niños