Anja Murray: Losing our lakes is a poor exchange for short-term economic gain

We have health warnings against lake swimming in dozens of locations across Ireland because of contamination with harmful algal blooms and the presence of toxic blue-green algae in the water — all boosted by artificially elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in the water

A mallard duck swims through the sludge of green algae at Kinnego Marina on Lough Neagh. Councils bordering the Lough have put up warning signs about the potential health dangers both to humans and to animals, particularly dogs. Picture: Alan Lewis / PhotopressBelfast.co.uk

Rain is one of Ireland’s most renowned characteristics (I won't go so far as to call it an attribute). We bemoan the quantity of it, but without so much rain, we wouldn’t be so well endowed with an abundance of rivers, lakes, and swampy, liminal places... along with all the biodiversity they support.

Lakes are definitely a feature we all love and benefit greatly from — all 1,200 of them across the Republic of Ireland. They are our scenic spots to bring visitors in summertime; calm shores to swim in for a refreshing jolt of energy; or lakeside walking routes to bring the dog, stretch the legs, and clear the mind. For the fishers out there, lakes are places to spend long calm hours casting a line out over the water. Sometimes it's enough to simply sit by the shore and watch swans and diving ducks pierce the reflections of clouds on the water surface.