Templehouse Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Templehouse Lough |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Sligo |
| Coordinates | 54°6′17″N 8°35′21″W / 54.10472°N 8.58917°W |
| Native name | Loch Theach an Teampla Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Owenmore River and other streams |
| Primary outflows | Owenmore River |
| Catchment area | 268.54 km2 (104 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.5 km (0.3 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.19 km2 (0.46 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 2.6 m (9 ft) |
| Max. depth | 5.3 m (17 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 54 m (177 ft) |
Templehouse Lough (which is Loch Theach an Teampla in Irish) is a beautiful freshwater lake in the northwest of Ireland. It is found in the southern part of County Sligo. The lake is an important part of the Owenmore River's journey.
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About Templehouse Lough
Templehouse Lough is located about 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of the town of Sligo. It is also about 6 kilometers (4 miles) west of Ballymote. The lake covers an area of about 1.19 square kilometers (0.46 square miles). It stretches for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from north to south.
What are Crannogs?
A cool fact about Templehouse Lough is that it has many crannogs. These are special artificial islands that people built long ago, often in ancient times. They were used for homes or forts.
How Water Flows in the Lake
Templehouse Lough gets its water mainly from the Owenmore River. Other smaller streams also flow into the southern part of the lake. The water then flows out of the northern end of the lake, continuing as the Owenmore River. This river then travels north to join the Ballysadare River.
Animals and Nature at the Lake
Templehouse Lough is a great place for many different animals, especially fish and birds.
Fish You Might Find
The lake is home to several types of fish, including:
- Roach
- Perch
- Pike
- The critically endangered European eel
Birds That Visit
Many different bird species come to Templehouse Lough, especially during the winter months.
- Ducks: You can see teal, wigeon, mallard, tufted duck, and goldeneye.
- Wading Birds: These birds often walk in shallow water looking for food. They include the lapwing, curlew, and the Greenland white-fronted goose.
- Other Birds: Keep an eye out for mute swans, great crested grebes, and herons.
Special Protected Area
Templehouse Lough is part of a very important natural area called the Templehouse and Cloonacleigha Loughs Special Area of Conservation. This means it's a protected place because of its unique "hard water lake" habitat. This helps to keep the lake and its wildlife safe and healthy for the future.
