Lough Neagh 4.39

Lough Neagh is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. It is the largest lake by area in the British Isles, with a surface area of 392km2. It supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's water. Its main inflows are the Upper River Bann and River Blackwater, and its main outflow is the Lower River Bann. Its name comes. The lough is owned by the Earl of Shaftesbury.GeographyWith an area of 392km2, it is the largest lake on the island of Ireland, the 15th largest freshwater lake within the European Union and is ranked 31st in the List of largest lakes of Europe. Located west of Belfast, it is about long and wide. It is very shallow around the margins and the average depth in the main body of the lake is about 30ft, although at its deepest the lough is about deep.HydrologyOf the 4550km2 catchment area, around 9% lies in the Republic of Ireland and 91% in Northern Ireland; altogether 43% of the land area of Northern Ireland is drained into the lough, which itself flows out northwards to the sea via the River Bann. As one of its sources is the Upper Bann, the Lough can itself be considered as part of the Bann. Lough Neagh is fed by many tributaries including the rivers Main (34mi), Six Mile Water (21mi), Upper Bann (40mi), Blackwater (57mi), Ballinderry (29mi) and Moyola (31mi)