Castle Loch is a shallow eutrophic loch covering an area of around 100 hectares in the town of Lochmaben in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies to the west of Mochrum Loch[1] and has 2 islets. The ruined Lochmaben Castle lies at the southern end of the loch.

Castle Loch
Castle Loch - geograph.org.uk - 812536
Castle Loch is located in Dumfries and Galloway
Castle Loch
Castle Loch
LocationDumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Coordinates54°50′58″N 4°40′13″W / 54.8495°N 4.67030°W / 54.8495; -4.67030
Typefreshwater loch
Primary inflowsseveral small burns
Primary outflowsCastle Loch burn
Basin countriesScotland
Max. length1.25 mi (2.01 km)[1]
Max. width0.5 mi (0.80 km)[1]
Surface area92.5 ha (229 acres)[2]
Average depth6.5 ft (2.0 m)[1]
Max. depth11 ft (3.4 m)[1]
Water volume65,000,000 cu ft (1,800,000 m3)[1]
Shore length16.4 km (4.0 mi)[2]
Surface elevation85 m (279 ft)[2]
Islands2 islets[2]
Official nameCastle Loch, Lochmaben
Designated15 March 1996
Reference no.796[3]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Survey edit

The loch was surveyed[1] in 1903 by James Murray and later charted [4] as part of Sir John Murray's Bathymetrical Survey of Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland 1897-1909.

Wildlife and conservation edit

Castle Loch is an important over-wintering location for the pink-footed goose and the goosander. It has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,[3] and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897-1909, Lochs of the Cree Basin". National Library of Scotland. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "Castle loch". British lakes. British Lakes. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Castle Loch, Lochmaben". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Lochs Castle & Mochrum (Vol. 5, Plate 41) - Bathymetrical Survey, 1897-1909 - National Library of Scotland". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Castle Loch, Lochmaben Ramsar". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 29 January 2019.