Lough Mourne (Donegal)
Lough Mourne (Irish: Loch Moirne)[1] is a freshwater lake in the northwest of Ireland. It is located in County Donegal, near the border with County Tyrone.
| Lough Mourne | |
|---|---|
 With Barnesmore Gap in background | |
  Location in Ireland | |
| Location | County Donegal |
| Coordinates | 54°45′1″N 7°54′2″W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Native name | Loch Moirne (Irish) |
| Primary outflows | Mourne Beg River |
| Catchment area | 8.87 km2 (3.4 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 1.7 km (1 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.5 km (0.3 mi) |
| Surface area | 0.67 km2 (0.26 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 3.9 m (13 ft) |
| Max. depth | 11.9 m (39 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 168 m (551 ft) |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
Geography and hydrology
Lough Mourne is located about 9 kilometres (6 mi) southwest of Ballybofey, near the N15 road.[2] The lake serves as a reservoir for Donegal Town.[5] The Mourne Beg River flows out of the southern end of the lough,[2] while the Burn Daurnett flows out of the north-eastern end of the lough. The Red Burn (also known as the Sruhanderg) flows into the western side of the lough.
Natural history
Fish species in Lough Mourne include roach, pike, brown trout and the critically endangered European eel.[3] The southwestern shore of Lough Mourne forms part of the Croaghonagh Bog Special Area of Conservation. The site provides supports for a range of wildlife species including important bird species.[5]
See also
- List of loughs in Ireland
References
- "Loch Moirne/Lough Mourne". Placenames Database of Ireland. Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University. Retrieved 24 Mar 2016.
- Google (24 Mar 2016). "Lough Mourne" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 24 Mar 2016.
- Niven, Art; McCauley, Mark (2010). "Stillwater Status Report: Lough Mourne, County Donegal" (PDF). Loughs Agency of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 24 Mar 2016.
- "A Reference Based Typology and Ecological Assessment System for Irish Lakes" (PDF). Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). 2006. p. 18. Retrieved 24 Mar 2016.
- "Croaghonagh Bog SAC" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland). Retrieved 24 Mar 2016.