Loch Ken

Loch Ken
Loch Ken, looking towards Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Loch Ken
Location	Dumfries and Galloway
Coordinates	55°00′32″N 4°03′22″W / 55.009°N 4.056°W / 55.009; -4.056
Type	freshwater loch,
Primary inflows	Water of Ken, River Dee
Basin countries	Scotland
Max. length	9 mi (14 km)
Settlements	Glenlochar, Laurieston, Mossdale, Crossmichael, Parton
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Loch Ken & River Dee Marshes
Designated	31 August 1992
Reference no.	568[1]

Loch Ken is a 9 miles (14 km) long freshwater loch in the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies in the Glenkens, where it is fed from the north by the Water of Ken and from the west by the Dee. It continues as the Dee south from Glenlochar, where the water is held back by the Glenlochar Barrage. Part of the Galloway hydro-electric power scheme, the barrage regulates the river's flow.