Lough Erne

Lough Erne
Loch Éirne (Irish)
Boats travelling through Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Location	County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Coordinates	54°28′N 7°49′W / 54.467°N 7.817°W / 54.467; -7.817
Primary inflows	River Erne
Primary outflows	River Erne
Catchment area	1,680 sq mi (4,350 km2)
Basin countries	Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Max. length	Lower: ~26 mi (42 km) Upper: ~12 mi (19 km)
Surface area	Lower: ~42.3 sq mi (110 km2) Upper: ~13.3 sq mi (34 km2)
Average depth	Lower: ~39 ft (12 m) Upper: ~7.5 ft (2.3 m)
Max. depth	213.25 ft (65.00 m)
Islands	150+
Settlements	Enniskillen, Belturbet, Belleek, Pettigo, Kesh, Trory, Ballycassidy, Killadeas, Derrylin
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Upper Lough Erne
Designated	4 March 1997
Reference no.	896[1]

Lough Erne (/lɒx ɛərn/ LOKH AIRN, from Irish Loch Éirne) is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland and Ulster, and the fourth biggest in Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne, which flows north and then curves west into the Atlantic. The smaller southern lake is called the Upper Lough as it is higher up the river. The bigger northern lake is called the Lower Lough or Broad Lough. The town of Enniskillen lies on the short stretch of river between the lakes. The lake has more than 150 islands, along with many coves and inlets.^[2] The River Erne is 80 miles (129 km)^[3] long and drains an area of about 1,680 square miles (4,350 km²).^[4]