Loch of Skene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loch of Skene |
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| Loch Skene | |
Loch of Skene in 1999
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 Loch of Skene
Location in Aberdeen
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| Location | Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°9′27″N 2°21′25″W / 57.15750°N 2.35694°W |
| Type | freshwater artificial loch |
| Primary inflows | Corskie Burn |
| Primary outflows | Leuchar Burn |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Max. width | 0.66 mi (1.06 km) |
| Surface area | 144.4 ha (357 acres) |
| Average depth | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Max. depth | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Water volume | 60,000,000 cu ft (1,700,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 4.4 km (2.7 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 85 m (279 ft) |
| Islands | 3 |
| Designated: | 1 October 1986 |
| Reference #: | 339 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Loch of Skene is a big freshwater loch (which is the Scottish word for a lake!) located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It's about 1 kilometer (or 1 mile) west of a village called Kirkton of Skene. It's also about 14 kilometers (or 9 miles) west of the city of Aberdeen.
This loch is special because it's partly man-made. A dam was built on its southern side to create a reservoir. A reservoir is like a big storage tank for water. The deepest part of the loch is about 1.8 meters (or 6 feet) deep.
Contents
History of the Loch
Before 1905, the water from Loch of Skene was used to help make tweed cloth. It also powered the big mill wheel at the Garlogie Mills.
When the mills closed in 1905, the loch's water was then used to generate electricity!
Plants and Animals
Loch of Skene is a very important place for wildlife. It has special protections to keep its nature safe. It is known as a Special Protection Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Ramsar site. These titles mean it's recognized internationally for its important wetlands and birds.
Birds and Other Animals
The loch is home to many different kinds of wild birds, especially in autumn and winter. You might see large groups of greylag geese and pink-footed geese. Goldeneye ducks are also common visitors. You can also spot Common gulls flying around the loch.
Pike are a type of fish found in the loch. If you want to go fishing for pike, you need to get a special permit first.
Plants Around the Loch
Around the edges of the loch, you'll find areas of Reedbed. These are wetlands filled with tall grasses called reeds. There's also a type of wet woodland called a carr. This woodland is made up of birch and willow trees.
Fun Activities
The Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club is based at Loch of Skene. This means people can enjoy sailing and other water sports on the loch.
How the Loch was Studied
The loch was carefully measured and mapped on July 17, 1905. This survey was done by T.N. Johnston and L.W. Collett. It was part of a bigger project called the Sir John Murray's Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909. This survey helped scientists learn more about the depths and shapes of Scotland's freshwater lochs.
