Bathing Water Profile - Portnashangan, Lough Owel (2014) Bathing Water: Portnashangan, Lough Owel Bathing Water Code: IESHBWL26_703_0100 Local Authority: Westmeath County Council River Basin District: Shannon Monitoring Point: 241921E, 258535N 1. Profile Details: Profile Id: BWPR00284 Toilets Available: Yes Year Of Profile: 2014 Car Parking Available: Yes Year Of Identification 1992 Disabled Access: No Version Number: 1 First Aid Available: No Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: No Lifesaving Facilities: No Figure 1: Bathing Water 2. Bathing Water Details: Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent Bathing Water location and The Portnashangan bathing water site is located on the shores of Lough Owel. The Lough is situated 4km extent: north west of Mullingar in County Westmeath The bathing area extends over an area of approximately 50meters wide and 130 meters long (c.0.62Ha). Map 1 (Appendix 1) shows the location and extent of the Portnashangan Bathing Area . Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water Water: Portnashangan is an inland water bathing area located on the shores of Lough Owel. Lough Owel is a spring fed hard water lake the water quality in the lake is good. The lake is a relatively shallow lake with a rocky, marl covered bottom. Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone Lough Owel supports a diverse aquatic flora; such as pond weed and stoneworts. Lake Shore Much of the lake shore is dry stoney ground covered intemittently with course grass. Facilities and Activities. Upon entering the bathing water site there is a public parking area , recycling facilities and life buoys. Visitor Numbers. Max. number of visitor during a day in high season:100 persons Approx number of visitor during the bathing season: 300 Activities available at the The bathing area is a popular bathing area. Jet skie bye laws prohibit use of jet skies on the lake. Bathing Water: Contributing catchment The bathing water catchment is dominated by agriculture primarily for grazing of cattle and sheep. The details: contributing catchment is approximately 5.79Ha. Water Bodies Draining to Bathing Water There is no waterbodies draining into the bathing area. Topography The catchment consists of relatively steep rolling landscape. Monitoring point details: The Grid Reference for the bathing water monitoring point is GPS 641929; 758540. Reason for selection of the The bathing water monitoring point was selected to take account of the following : monitoring point: • Location were most bathers are expected to use the bathing water. • Ease of access to sampling site. Water quality assessment: The bathing water quality of Portnashangan Lough Owel has been cosistnelty good over the period 2002- 2013. 3. Identified Pressures: Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment 3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk: Description: Soils in area area relativley free draining as indicate by the predominant soil type. Well drained soils will generally permit good percolation of effleunts and adeqaute treatment. Source: Single On Site Wastewater Systems Type: Septic Tank Short Term Pressure: No Description: Grazing of agricultural animals . Source: Agricultural Activities Type: Other Short Term Pressure: No 3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk: No pressures identified 3.3 Other Risks: Assessment of the potential for proliferation During the period May -Augusts as part of routine lake monitoring the Council conduct regular of cyanobacteria: water quality assessment of lake water quality for the presence of cyanobcteria . In the event that the presence of cyanobacteria is identified in the bathing area . Proposed management measures for N/A cyanobacteria: Assessment of the potential for proliferation Signs are erected advising bathers not to use the site. The signs would remain in place until such of macroalgae: time as water samples show that the risk has dissipated Proposed management measures for N/A macroalgae: Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of marine phytoplankton: Proposed management measures for marine N/A phytoplankton: Additional Information: None 4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years: 2010 2011 2012 2013 Portnashangan, Lough Owel Sufficient Sufficient Good Good 5 Contact Details: Contact: Westmeath County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Environment Section, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Phone: 044 9332168.