Parking is available at the posted coordinates where you will find an information board. To log this cache you will find the answers on that board and within this description.
Shannagh Lough.
Oligotrophic Soft Water Lakes, such as Shannagh, are frequently associated with catchments where acid bedrock is overlain by peatland, with soft, nutrient-poor waters. The habitat is best developed on more gentle lake slopes along sheltered shorelines. It is dominated
by species with an isoetid growth form, such as quillwort (Isoetes lacustris), or water lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna). Other species such as bulbous rush (Juncus bulbosus) and bog pondweed (Potamogeton polygonifolius) also frequently occur. Ireland is a stronghold for the habitat, given the large number of lakes in which it occurs and its widespread distribution. Even in Ireland, however, the habitat is under significant pressure from eutrophication, and from drainage and other damage to peatland. Diffuse nutrient losses from agriculture and forestry are the most likely causes of enrichment in this lake habitat, and developing solutions to prevent or reduce such losses is a considerable challenge. Damage to peatland can result in hydrological changes in lakes, increased water colour and turbidity, changes in sediment characteristics, acidification and even enrichment. Ensuring the long-term future of this lake habitat requires action to address peatland damage.
Hard Oligo-mesotrophic Lakes such as Kinny and Magheradrumman, are strongly associated with lowland lakes over limestone bedrock. It is
also found on calcareous sand at the landward side of machair plains. The habitat is dominated
by algae, particularly stoneworts (Chara spp.). Stonewort diversity is high and includes a number of rare and threatened species. Irish examples of the habitat are also of international importance
for their ‘krustenstein’, an organic crust found on bedrock and cobbles in shallow waters. This crust is species-rich, but a cyanobacterium (Schizothrix fasiculata ) domnates in terms of abundance. Some of the best European examples of the hard-water lake habitat occur in Ireland. The hard-water lake habitat is under significant pressure from eutrophication, the primary sources of nutrients and organic material being agriculture and municipal and industrial wastewaters. Movement
of pollutants, especially phosphorus, through groundwater is a significant concern.
To log this cache please contact the CO through the link below and send your answers to the following questions:
- What bedrock is usually below Hard Oligo-mesotrophic Lakes?
- How many fishing lakes are on the Fanad Peninsula?
- What is surface area of Shannagh Lake?
- Name two oligo-mesotrophic lakes. Is their water hard or soft?
- Name two species of fish found in these lakes.
- Name a "duck and wine" fly that is best used on Kindrum Lake.
While it is not compulsory, you may add a photograph of the lake with you and/or your GPS device in the foreground.
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