Lough Melvin is internationally renowned for the range of fish, plants and animals that are supported by the lake and its catchment. Located in the northwest of Ireland in the counties of Leitrim and Fermanagh, the lake covers an area of 20 km2 and is famous for its early “run” of Atlantic salmon. In relatively pristine condition, the lake and surrounding catchment area are valued for their recreational, heritage and environmental value by anglers, tourists, scientists and the local community.

Among the many species that live in or around the lake are Arctic Char, Otter and three species of trout: Sonaghan, Gillaroo and Ferox. The latter three are unique to the lake as, although all are classed as brown trout, each has evolved within the Lough to form a genetically distinct species. Their DNA profiles show consistent differences and each species has separate breeding areas with in the lake catchment and each exploits different food resources within Lough. It remains one of only two lakes in which the Arctic char survives in Northern lreland.  On the shores of the Lough and within its wider catchment are found formerly common, but now rare, terrestrial habitats for the globeflower, Molinia meadows and sessile oak woodlands.

Due to the importance of Lough Melvin as an oligo-mesotrophic (low-medium nutrient) lake that supports a diversity of habitats and species, it has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The health of Lough Melvin and its unique environmental values are particularly vulnerable to human activities in the surrounding catchment. The most significant threat is an increase in nutrients from housing, forestry and agriculture that would jeopardise its current low-medium nutrient status. Additionally the ecology of  the lake is highly vulnerable to the spread of invasive species such as pike and the zebra mussel.

In June 2008 a detailed catchment management plan for Lough Melvin was published. The plan was the outcome of a 30 month partnership between AFBI, the Northern Regional Fisheries Board, Queens University Belfast and Teagasc. Working together under tight deadlines these organisations under took four strands of work that documented the pressures facing the lake and the ecological characteristics of the lake but also charted a way forward for its management. The reports that arose from this investigation can be accessed via the following links.

Note: The Lough Levin Management Plan was co-funded by Interreg IIIA and Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) and Department of the Environment and Local Government in Dublin.