Loch Ken

Loch Ken
Location Dumfries and Galloway
Coordinates 55°00′32″N 4°03′22″W / 55.009°N 4.056°W / 55.009; -4.056Coordinates: 55°00′32″N 4°03′22″W / 55.009°N 4.056°W / 55.009; -4.056
Type freshwater loch, reservoir
Primary inflows Water of Ken, River Dee
Basin countries Scotland
Max. length 9 mile
Settlements Glenlochar, Lauriston, Mossdale, Crossmichael, Parton
Official name Loch Ken & River Dee Marshes
Designated 31 August 1992

Loch Ken is 9-mile long freshwater loch 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.

Villages around Loch Ken include Glenlochar at the south, Laurieston and Mossdale on the west side of the loch, and Crossmichael and Parton on the east. The village of New Galloway lies one mile to its north. The parish church of Balmaghie is also by the loch.

Loch Ken is used recreationally for water skiing, fishing, and sailing, with Glenlaggan Lodges and Loch Ken Marina catering to visitors.

A railway viaduct, once part of the Portpatrick Railway crosses the loch at Boat o' Rhone, but is now disused.

Loch Ken and River Dee Marshes was designated a Ramsar site on 21 August 1992.

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This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.