Kiltooris Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kiltooris Lough |
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Location | County Donegal |
Coordinates | 54°49′9″N 8°30′2″W / 54.81917°N 8.50056°W |
Catchment area | 5.55 km2 (2.1 sq mi) |
Basin countries | Ireland |
Max. length | 1.4 km (1 mi) |
Max. width | 0.5 km (0.3 mi) |
Surface area | 0.43 km2 (0.17 sq mi) |
Max. depth | 13.5 m (44 ft) |
Surface elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
Islands | Inishywadigan, Rossbeg Island, Thorn Island, O'Boyle's Island |
Kiltooris Lough is a lovely freshwater lake found in the northwest part of Ireland. It's located in the southwest of County Donegal, close to Dawros Bay. This lake is a special place for nature and is home to some unique fish species.
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Where is Kiltooris Lough?
Kiltooris Lough is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) northwest of a town called Ardara. The lake is quite long, stretching about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) from north to south. It's also about 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) wide.
What Kind of Water Does it Have?
Kiltooris Lough has very clean and clear water. Scientists describe it as oligotrophic. This means the water has very few nutrients. Because of this, it supports a specific type of plant and animal life that thrives in such clean conditions.
Animals and Nature at the Lake
Kiltooris Lough is an important home for several types of fish. You might find salmon swimming in its waters. Another interesting fish is the three-spined stickleback.
The European Eel
One very special resident of Kiltooris Lough is the European eel. This eel is considered critically endangered. This means there are very few of them left in the world, and they are at a high risk of disappearing forever. Protecting lakes like Kiltooris Lough helps these amazing creatures survive.
A Protected Area
Because of its unique nature, Kiltooris Lough is part of a larger protected area. It's included in the West of Ardara/Maas Road Special Area of Conservation. A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is a place chosen to protect important habitats and species across Europe. It helps make sure that special places like Kiltooris Lough stay healthy for all the plants and animals that live there.