St. John's Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. John's Lough |
|
|---|---|
 Location in island of Ireland
|
|
| Location | County Leitrim |
| Coordinates | 54°2′25″N 7°51′47″W / 54.04028°N 7.86306°W |
| Native name | Loch Eoin Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Shannon–Erne Waterway |
| Primary outflows | Shannon–Erne Waterway |
| Catchment area | 22.56 km2 (8.7 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.46 km2 (0.56 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 60 m (200 ft) |
St. John's Lough (Irish: Loch Eoin), also known as St. John's Lake, is a freshwater lake in south County Leitrim, Ireland. It's part of the larger Shannon–Erne Waterway, which is a popular place for tourists.
Sometimes, the lake's natural balance is affected by things like pollution and plants or animals that don't belong there. These are called invasive species, and they can cause problems for the lake's native fish and plants. Examples include curly waterweed and zebra mussels.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "St. John's Lough" comes from the Irish name Eóin Baiste. This means "John the Baptist". So, the lake is named "the lake of John".
Where is St. John's Lough Located?
St. John's Lough is a shallow freshwater lake. It is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of a town called Ballinamore. The lake covers an area of about 1.46 km2 (0.6 sq mi).
The lake has an interesting shape. It starts wide in the north-east near Ballyduff Bridge. Then, it splits into three main parts. These parts are connected by narrow sections of water. The R208 road runs along the northern edge of the lake.
What Animals Live in St. John's Lough?
Many types of fish live in St. John's Lough. You can find fish like roach, bream, and perch here. There are also pike, which are a type of large fish.
The pike in this lake are special. They are the "native Irish strain" of pike. This means they are the original type of pike found in Ireland. They are different from other types of pike found in Europe.
In the early 2000s, the water quality in the lake was good. This means it was a healthy place for fish and other creatures to live.
Who Lived by the Lake Long Ago?
People lived around St. John's Lough a very long time ago. They built special homes called crannogs. These were artificial islands built in the lake. Four of these ancient crannogs have been found here.
People probably lived in these crannogs in the 1200s or early 1300s. Back then, the land around St. John's Lough was covered in forests.
Treasures and Old Buildings
Ancient Finds from the Lake
In the 1800s, some interesting old items were found at St. John's Lough. These items are now kept in museums in Ireland. They include:
- Three silver coins from the time of English kings Edward I, Edward II, or Edward III. These coins were found on a crannog.
- A bronze pin and a short bronze sword. These were found near Ballyduff Bridge, close to the lake.
A Church from the Past
An old book called the Annals of the Four Masters tells us about a church. This church stood on the northern shore of St. John's Lough. It was destroyed in the year 1244 AD.
The book says that an army needed to cross a flooded river. They pulled down the church to use its materials to build a way across the water.
Towns Near St. John's Lough
The main towns and villages close to St. John's Lough are Fenagh village and Ballinamore town.
