Rinn Lough

Rinn Lough (Irish: Claonloch, also Irish: Loch na Reanna),[1] also known as Lough Rynn, is a freshwater lake in the northwest of Ireland. It is located in south County Leitrim.

Rinn Lough
Walled gardens of Lough Rynn Castle from far side of the lake
Location in Ireland
LocationCounty Leitrim
Coordinates53°53′3″N 7°50′52″W
Native nameClaonloch  (Irish)
Primary inflowsCloone River
Primary outflowsRiver Rinn
Catchment area178.06 km2 (68.7 sq mi)
Basin countriesIreland
Max. length4 km (2.5 mi)
Max. width0.7 km (0.4 mi)
Surface area1.65 km2 (0.64 sq mi)
Surface elevation39 m (128 ft)
Islands6
SettlementsMohill
References[1][2][3]

Geography

Rinn Lough measures about 4 km (2.5 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide. It is located about 4 km (2 mi) south of Mohill. Lough Rynn Castle, a medieval castle now a hotel, occupies an estate on the lake's northeastern shore.[2]

Hydrology

Two smaller neighbouring lakes drain into Rinn Lough: Clooncoc Lough and Lough Errew. Rinn Lough drains south into the Rinn River flowing into Lough Forbes. Part of the river forms the Rinn River Natural Heritage Area.[2][4]

Ecology

The water quality was reported to be satisfactory c.2001 – c.2006 maintaining a mesotrophic rating.[5][6][n 1] but given a "bad ecological status" c.2007 – c.2009 due to pollution.[8] Zebra mussel infestation is present.[6] The ecology of Rinn Lough, and Irish waterways, remains threatened by curly waterweed, zebra mussel, and freshwater clam invasive species.[9][10]

See also

  • List of loughs in Ireland

References and notes

Notes

  1. Trophic states of "Oligotrophic" and "Mesotrophic" are desirable, but freshwater lakes rated 'Eutrophic' or 'Hypertrophic' indicates pollution.[7]

Primary sources

  1. "Claonloch/Rinn Lough". Placenames Database of Ireland. Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Retrieved 28 Dec 2015.
  2. Google (28 Dec 2015). "Rinn Lough" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 28 Dec 2015.
  3. "A Reference Based Typology and Ecological Assessment System for Irish Lakes" (PDF). Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). 2006. p. 19. Retrieved 28 Dec 2015.
  4. "Rinn River NHA" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland). Retrieved 28 Dec 2015.
  5. Clenaghan, Clinton, Crowe 2005, pp. 97.
  6. EPA 2010, pp. 80.
  7. Clenaghan, Clinton, Crowe 2005, pp. 8.
  8. EPA 2010, pp. 7, 84.
  9. Pedreschi, Kelly-Quinn, Caffrey, O’Grady, Mariani, Phillimore 2014.
  10. Clenaghan, Clinton, Crowe 2005, pp. 16.

Secondary sources

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