Site: Lough Derravaragh

Designation date: 11-06-1996

Coordinates: 53°40'N 007°20'W

Elevation:

Area: 1,120 ha

Location: Lough Derravaragh is located approximately 12 km north of the town of Mullingar in central Ireland.

Criteria: no information available

Importance: The lake is significant as a habitat for wildfowl, fish and otters (listed in an annex of the EU Habitats Directive), as well as for lower plants and insects (e.g. Tinodes maculicornis), some of which are of European significance. Although bird numbers have declined significantly since the 1970s, Lough Derravaragh's remaining wildfowl populations are less erratic than on other lakes in the locality, so its importance is still considerable.

Wetland Types: U ,O (dominant types shown in bold)

The site is part of a group of limestone lakes centred on Mullingar (see also Ramsar Sites 7IE040 through 7IE043). Small areas of raised bog adjoin the lake at its western end.

Biological/Ecological notes: A notable feature of Lough Derravaragh is the range of Chara denudata, a lower aquatic Charophyte species, which occurs here. This rare plant occurs in only five sites in County Westmeath, is restricted to highly calcareous lakes and is intolerant of pollution. The species is listed in the Charophyte Red Data Book. Eight plant species have been recorded, several of which are restricted in their distribution in Ireland. Around the lake margin, a range of habitats has been created as a result of drainage of the River Inny. At the western end are extensive reedbeds and swamps dominated by Phragmites australis with scattered stands of Betula pubescens and Salix spp. Elsewhere, there is freshwater marsh vegetation dominated by sedges Carex spp. and often tussock-forming grasses (e.g. Deschampsia caespitosa and Festuca sp.), with a range of flowering herbs including Bidens cernua and B. tripartita. The lakeshore is a mineral-rich substrate and thus several plant species of poor fen habitats are abundant, such as Schoenus nigricans and Carex lepidocarpa. The wet surface of the raised bog at the western end of the lake mostly consists of an undulating carpet of Sphagnum sp., Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum. Cutaway areas are abundantly colonised by Pinus sylvestris and Betula pubescens, with occasional Quercus petraea. Knockeyon and the other hills around the southeastern end of the lake support deciduous woodland which comprises mostly native species, including Corylus avellana, Sorbus aucuparia, Fraxinus excelsior and Quercus petraea. Exotic species like Fagus sylvatica occur occasionally. Lough Derravaragh holds nationally important numbers of Aythya ferina, A. fuligula, Fulica atra and Cygnus olor.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The River Inny, which is a major tributary of the River Shannon, flows into and out of the lake at its northwest end. At this end, the lake is wide and shallow and is backed by raised or cutaway bog. In contrast, the lake's southeastern arm is narrow, running between resistant limestone outcrops, which slope steeply to the lakeshore. The lake is shallow and its water is hard with an alkaline pH.

Human Uses: The lake is important for anglers, as it holds a population of brown trout Salmo trutta. Knockbody Wood is used for hunting pheasant. Local groups use the lake for canoeing and watersports.

Conservation Measures: The site is an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds.

Adverse Factors: Fish and wildfowl are threatened by pollution of the lake with organic farm material, and a degree of eutrophication is indicated by the presence of green algae along Lough Derravaragh's shores.

Site Management: No information provided.

External Link:

Based on the 1995 Ramsar Site information provided.