Lough Kinale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough Kinale |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Longford, County Westmeath, County Cavan |
| Coordinates | 53°46′31″N 7°25′0″W / 53.77528°N 7.41667°W |
| Native name | Loch Cinnéile Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | River Inny |
| Primary outflows | River Inny |
| Catchment area | 263.37 km2 (101.7 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 2.4 km (1.5 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.1 km (1 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.95 km2 (0.75 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 62 m (203 ft) |
Lough Kinale (pronounced 'Lock Kin-ale') is a beautiful freshwater lake in the middle of Ireland. It sits right where three counties meet: Longford, Westmeath, and Cavan. This lake is an important part of the River Inny. Water flows into Lough Kinale from a larger lake called Lough Sheelin. From Lough Kinale, the water then flows out towards Lough Derravaragh. A smaller lake nearby, called Derragh Lough, is also connected to Lough Kinale by a river.
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Exploring Lough Kinale's Location
Lough Kinale is about 2 km (1.2 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide. Most of the lake is located in County Longford. You can find the lake about 10 km (6 mi) east of a town called Granard.
How Water Flows Through the Lake
Lough Kinale is downstream from Lough Sheelin. This means water from Lough Sheelin flows into Lough Kinale. Both lakes are part of the upper area of the River Inny. The River Inny is a main river that flows into the famous River Shannon. Lough Derragh, a smaller lake, is also connected to the River Inny and Lough Kinale.
Understanding the Lake's Depth and Surroundings
Lough Kinale is a very shallow lake. Its deepest point is only about 4 m (13 ft) deep. The lake has two main parts. These parts are almost separated by a marshy area in the middle.
Around the edges of the lake, you'll find many reed beds. These are mixed with areas of marshland that have lots of small sedge plants. The land around the lake also has boggy areas. Some of these boggy areas have been turned into coniferous tree farms.
Water Quality of Lough Kinale
The water quality in Lough Kinale can change. Sometimes, it gets extra nutrients from nearby farms. This happens when water runs off the agricultural land. Long ago, people used to fish for trout in this lake.
Wildlife and Nature at Lough Kinale
Lough Kinale is a popular spot for coarse fishing. You can find different types of fish here, including large pike.
A Special Place for Birds
Lough Kinale and Derragh Lough together form a Special Protected Area (SPA). This area is very important for wildfowl that spend the winter here. Many birds come to this lake to stay warm during the colder months.
Some of the birds you might see include:
You might also spot smaller numbers of great crested grebe, little grebe, and mallard ducks. These birds often fly between Lough Kinale and the much larger Lough Sheelin.
