Lough Feeagh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough FeeaghLoch Fíoch |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Mayo |
| Coordinates | 53°56′56″N 9°34′32″W / 53.94889°N 9.57556°W |
| Type | oligotrophic |
| Catchment area | 84.68 km2 (32.70 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface area | 3.95 km2 (1.53 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 14.5 m (48 ft) |
| Max. depth | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Residence time | 0.47 year |
| Surface elevation | 11 m (36 ft) |
Lough Feeagh (which means Irish: Loch Fíoch in Irish) is a beautiful freshwater lake located in County Mayo, Ireland. It's the biggest lake in an area called the Burrishoole catchment. This catchment is a system of seven lakes, along with rivers and streams that connect them all. Lough Feeagh is also a special place where scientists study the environment as part of the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON).
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Discovering Lough Feeagh
Lough Feeagh is a very important part of the natural landscape in County Mayo. It's known for its clear, clean water. This type of lake is called an oligotrophic lake. This means it has low levels of nutrients, which usually leads to very clear water and less plant growth compared to other lakes.
Where is Lough Feeagh Located?
This lovely lake is found in the western part of Ireland, in County Mayo. It sits at an elevation of about 11 meters (around 36 feet) above sea level. Its location makes it a key part of the local water system.
How Big is Lough Feeagh?
Lough Feeagh covers an area of about 3.95 square kilometers (which is about 1.5 square miles). That's quite a large lake! Its average depth is around 14.5 meters (about 47.5 feet), but in some spots, it can be as deep as 45 meters (about 147.6 feet). Imagine how much water is in there! The total area that drains into the lake, called its catchment, is 84.68 square kilometers.
The Burrishoole Catchment System
Lough Feeagh is the largest lake within the Burrishoole catchment. A "catchment" is an area of land where all the water that falls as rain or snow eventually drains into a common body of water, like a lake or river. The Burrishoole catchment includes seven different lakes and many rivers and streams that flow into each other. This whole system works together to manage water in the region.
Studying the Lake: GLEON
Lough Feeagh is one of the lakes observed by the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON). This is a group of scientists from all over the world who study lakes. They collect data about things like water temperature, oxygen levels, and how clear the water is. By studying lakes like Lough Feeagh, they can learn more about how lakes change over time and how to protect them.
How Water Flows from Lough Feeagh
The water from Lough Feeagh doesn't just stay there. It flows out of the lake and into another nearby lake called Lough Furnace. From Lough Furnace, the water then travels through a short waterway known as the Burrishoole Channel. Finally, all this water empties into Clew Bay, which is a large bay on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ireland. This shows how all the different parts of the water system are connected.
