Lough Nacung Upper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough Nacung Upper |
|
|---|---|
View towards Lough Nacung Upper, with Errigal to the left.
|
|
 Lough Nacung Upper
Location in Ireland
|
|
| Location | County Donegal, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 55°01′55″N 8°09′59″W / 55.031956°N 8.166305°W |
| Lake type | natural freshwater lake |
| Native name | Loch na Cuinge Uachtarach Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Lough Dunlewey |
| Primary outflows | Lough Nacung Lower, to Clady River |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 2.72 miles (4.38 km) |
| Max. width | 0.38 miles (0.61 km) |
| Surface area | 2.1 km2 (0.81 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 57 m (187 ft) |
Lough Nacung Upper (pronounced Lock nah KOONG) is a beautiful freshwater lake located in County Donegal, Ireland. Its Irish name is Loch na Cuinge Uachtarach, which means 'Upper Narrowness lake'. This name comes from the Irish word cuing, meaning "narrow neck of land." This makes sense because the lake is found between two other water bodies.
Lough Nacung Upper plays an important role in the local water system. It connects Lough Dunlewey to Lough Nacung Lower. From Lough Nacung Lower, the water then flows into the Clady River. This shows how all these lakes and rivers are linked together, forming a network of waterways in the region.
Contents
A Special Place for Nature
Lough Nacung is not just any lake; it is recognized as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This means it's a very important place for nature. SACs are protected areas across Europe that help to keep special plants, animals, and habitats safe.
Why is it Special?
Being a Special Area of Conservation means that Lough Nacung has unique natural features. These features could be rare types of plants, specific kinds of animals, or important natural habitats like bogs or woodlands. Protecting these areas helps to keep our planet healthy and full of different kinds of life. It's like a special nature reserve for the whole of Europe!
Wildlife in the Lake
Lough Nacung Upper is home to different kinds of fish. The main fish species found here are sea trout and salmon. These fish are very important to the lake's ecosystem.
Fish Species and Their Importance
- Sea Trout: These fish are a type of trout that can live in both fresh water and salt water. They are born in rivers, then travel to the sea to grow, and later return to the rivers to lay their eggs.
- Atlantic Salmon: Salmon are also anadromous fish, meaning they migrate between fresh and salt water. They are known for their long journeys from the ocean back to the rivers where they were born to reproduce.
The presence of these fish shows that the lake's water quality is good. It also highlights why it's so important to protect Lough Nacung Upper as a Special Area of Conservation. Protecting the lake helps these amazing fish complete their life cycles and keeps the natural balance of the area.
