Keshcarrigan Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keshcarrigan Lough |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Leitrim |
| Coordinates | 54°01′50″N 7°57′26″W / 54.03056°N 7.95722°W |
| Lake type | Freshwater |
| Native name | Ceis Charraigín Loch Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface area | 0.39 km2 (0.15 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 62 m (203 ft) |
| Islands | 1 |
Keshcarrigan Lough is a beautiful freshwater lake located near Keshcarrigan village in northwest Ireland. It's a popular spot for fishing, especially for "course fishing," which means catching fish like roach and bream. You can fish from special concrete stands along the northern shore, and two of these stands are even set up for wheelchairs.
This lake, like other waterways in County Leitrim, faces challenges from invasive species. These are plants and animals that don't naturally belong there and can harm the local environment. Some of these include curly waterweed, zebra mussels, and freshwater clams.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Keshcarrigan Lough" comes from the nearby area called "Keshcarrigan." In the Irish language, this name means "the Kesh, or causeway, near the little rock." A causeway is like a raised road or path across wet ground or water.
Where is Keshcarrigan Lough?
Keshcarrigan Lough is found just south of Keshcarrigan village and another lake called Lough Scur. It's located in the Kiltubrid area, in the southern part of County Leitrim, in northwest Ireland.
The lake has a slightly tilted, oblong shape. It covers an area of about 0.39 square kilometers (which is about 96 acres). The deepest parts of the lake are around 4 meters (about 13 feet) deep.
Keshcarrigan Lough is connected to Lough Scur by a channel that is about 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) long. Both lakes are at the same water level. The lake is surrounded by different areas called townlands, including Keshcarrigan to the north, Clooney to the south, Laheen to the west, Carrick to the north, and Toomans to the east.
Fish and Wildlife
Keshcarrigan Lough is home to several types of fish. You can find "roach-bream hybrids," which are a mix of roach and bream. There are also regular roach, perch, and bream that can weigh up to 4 pounds.
The lake also has a good population of pike. These pike are special because they are the "native Irish strain." In Irish, this type of pike is called liús. This is different from other types of European pike, which are sometimes called gailliasc, meaning 'strange or foreign fish'. Some pike in Keshcarrigan Lough can weigh up to 8 pounds!
White-Clawed Crayfish
In 2009, many white-clawed crayfish were found living in Keshcarrigan Lough. These crayfish are important because they are native to Ireland and are a protected species. The lake's shallow, rocky shores provide a good home for them.
However, the crayfish and the lake's environment are at risk. The lake is affected by zebra mussels, which are an invasive species that can take over habitats. Also, bringing in crayfish species that are not native to Ireland can harm the local white-clawed crayfish population.
Nearby Village
The main village near Keshcarrigan Lough is Keshcarrigan. It's a small community located right by the lake.
