Glenbower Lake, a lake of approximately 6-7 acres, lay before the dam was breached manually in1989, approximately ¾ of a mile N.W. of the village of Killeagh, within Glenbower Wood. The dam was constructed during the 1860's, its original purpose was to provide a head of water to drive the waterwheel providing the energy for the now disused mills in the centre of the village. Prior to its destruction, the lake and its surrounds provided a valuable amenity area and beauty spot drawing people from many miles away. The lake was fed by the River Dissour which on leaving the lake then joins the Womanagh River before entering the Sea at the noted angling beach at Pilmore Strand. The river prior to the destruction of the dam was noted for its Sea Trout runs together with its share of Salmon. The existing fish pass ( built by the inland fisheries trust in 1958 ) of the dam appears to be quite functional and would require little to restore it to full working capacity.

The lake prior to its destruction
Photo's courtesy
of Peter Lee
The Spillway in the old Dam which allowed the river to continue its way to the sea

Re- Stocking of Glenbower Lake 1958
A photo of Inland Fisheries and a paper cutting from 1958 restocking lake. 
 
People in the photo are:
L-R : Noel Hackett ( Inland Fisheries ) Paddy Hanifin, Harry Hogan, Seargent Boyd, Michael Lee, Patrick Mahony, Joe O'Mahony, Batt Coleman,
crouched infront unknown - possible inland fisheries representive.
 
Note battery held by Batt Coleman used to stun the fish and the milk churn at his feet where the fish were put.


 

Click on the images to enlarge.

At present the old lakebed is covered with scrub and is dangerous with large areas of soft mud.
The view from the "White Bridge" which used to be the head of the lake. On the left hand side can be seen the bed of the lake which has now become overgrown. The river has cut into the lakebed