Lough Derg (Shannon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough DergLoch Deirgeirt |
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 Lough Derg
Loch Deirgeirt Location in Ireland
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| Coordinates | 52°59′N 8°19′W / 52.983°N 8.317°W |
| Primary inflows | River Shannon |
| Primary outflows | River Shannon |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 38.6 km (24.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 12.9 km (8.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 130 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 7.6 m (25 ft) |
| Max. depth | 36 m (118 ft) |
| Water volume | 0.887 km3 (0.213 cu mi) |
| Residence time | 0.15 years |
| Shore length1 | 179,000 m (587,000 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 33.5 m (110 ft) |
| Settlements | Garrykennedy, Portumna, Killaloe & Ballina, Dromineer, Terryglass |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
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Lough Derg is a large freshwater lake in Ireland. It is the third-biggest lake on the island of Ireland. Only Lough Neagh and Lough Corrib are larger.
This long, narrow lake touches three counties: Clare (south-west), Galway (north-west), and Tipperary (east). It is the most southern of three big lakes along the River Shannon. The other two are Lough Ree and Lough Allen.
Many towns and villages are located on Lough Derg. These include Portumna, Killaloe & Ballina, Dromineer, Terryglass, Mountshannon, and Garrykennedy.
The lake's name comes from the Irish Loch Deirgdheirc. This means "red eye". It was also one of the names for The Dagda, an old Irish god.
Contents
About Lough Derg
Lough Derg is 36 metres deep at its deepest point. It covers an area of 130 square kilometres (50.2 square miles).
The River Shannon flows into and out of Lough Derg. Just downstream from the lake are the Doonass falls. These are the biggest waterfalls on the river.
Near the falls is the Ardnacrusha power plant. When it was built in 1927, it was the world's largest hydroelectric power plant. It uses the power of water to make electricity.
Fun Activities on the Lake
In the past, Lough Derg was an important route for boats. It connected the port of Limerick to Dublin through canals.
Today, Lough Derg is very popular for fun activities. People enjoy cruising, sailing, and fishing on the lake. You can travel its full 40-kilometre length by boat.
The University of Limerick has an activity centre by the lake. It is just north of Killaloe. Here, you can try canoes, kayaks, windsurfing, and sailing.
Safety on the Water
Lough Derg is home to an RNLI lifeboat station. This station is located in Dromineer. It was the first inland lifeboat station in Ireland.
The RNLI helps people who get into trouble on the water. For example, in June 2013, 35 people were rescued. They were taking part in an international rowing event when bad weather hit.
Wildlife and Nature
Lough Derg is a special place for wildlife. In 2012, a pair of white-tailed eagles built a nest on an island in the lake. This was a big success for a program that brought these eagles back to Ireland. The program started in 2007.
A type of alga called Nitellopsis obtusa was found in the lake in 2016. This alga is not native to Ireland.
The North-East Shore of Lough Derg is a protected area. It is called a Special Area of Conservation. This means it is important for nature and wildlife.
Towns and Villages Around the Lake
Many towns and villages are located around Lough Derg. Some of them include:
- Ballina
- Dromineer
- Garrykennedy
- Kilgarvan
- Killaloe
- Mountshannon
- Portroe
- Portumna
- Scarriff
- Terryglass
- Whitegate
See also
In Spanish: Lago Derg (Shannon) para niños
