Scotland’s most famous lake is in danger of drying up. Loch Ness today has the lowest water level in the past 40 years. The Highland Fisheries Authority has reported a decrease in the volume of flow of the River Ness, which feeds into the lake famous for legend of the famous “monster”, a prehistoric reptile that would have found refuge in the calm waters. It was first reported in the 7th century by the Irish monk Adamnanus of Iona in his “Life of Saint Columba”. “The prolonged drought affecting Scotland and the UK – explained Brian Shaw, Director of the Salmon Fisheries Council for the Ness region – has dramatically lowered the Nice level. It is a level not reached at this time of year. To its lowest level since records began” .
Dry weather in recent weeks prompted the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency to issue a water shortage warning for parts of the Highlands on Friday. “I don’t remember the water level in Loch Ness being as low as it is now since 1989,” Adrian Shine, the naturalist who designed the Loch Ness exhibit, told the BBC. “The depression of the loch is noticeable at Urquhart, below the ruins of the castle. There is a semi-dry cove now.” And with high temperatures and good weather in the UK right now, the chance of rain replenishing the loch remains slim.
Nathan Critchlow Watton, head of planning at the agency, emphasized how “the risks of water shortages became significant in early summer and very worrying” and that “leaves no doubt that the months ahead will be very challenging”. If Scotland fears drought, there are those who believe that the lowering of Loch Ness will again cause the beast to jump.
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