Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh
ESA Sentinel-2 image
Lough Neagh
LocationNorthern Ireland, UK
Coordinates54°37′06″N 6°23′43″W / 54.61833°N 6.39528°W / 54.61833; -6.39528
TypeFresh Water Lough/Lake
Primary inflowsUpper Bann, Six Mile Water, Glenavy River, Crumlin River, Blackwater, Moyola River, Ballinderry River, River Main
Primary outflowsLower Bann
Catchment area1,760 sq mi (4,550 km2)
Basin countries
Max. length19 mi (31 km)
Max. width9.3 mi (15.0 km)
Surface area151 sq mi (390 km2)
Average depth30 ft (9.1 m)
Max. depth80 ft (24 m)
Water volume0.85 cu mi (3.5 km3)
Shore length178 mi (125 km)
Surface elevation48.0 ft (14.63 m)
Islands(see below)
Official nameLough Neagh & Lough Beg
Designated5 January 1976
Reference no.74
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lough Neagh (/lɒx ˈn/ lokh NAY; Irish: Loch nEathach [l̪ˠɔx ˈn̠ʲaha(x)]) is a freshwater lake in Northern Ireland and is the largest lake on the island of Ireland and in the British Isles. It has a surface area of 148 square miles (383 square kilometres) and is about 19 miles (31 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide. According to Northern Ireland Water, it supplies 40.7% of Northern Ireland's drinking water. Its main inflows are the Upper River Bann and Blackwater, and its main outflow is the Lower Bann. There are several small islands, including Ram's Island, Coney Island and Derrywarragh Island. The lake bed is owned by the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury and the lake is managed by Lough Neagh Partnership. Its name comes from Irish Loch nEachach [ˌl̪ˠɔx ˈn̠ʲahəx], meaning "Eachaidh's lake".