WATER CATCHMENT AREAS IN IRELAND 289 



Lisburn, between 450 and 1085 feet elevation, contains 

 5348 acres, of which 1365 acres were purchased by the 

 Commissioners and depopulated, being now used for meadow 

 and grazing. The unpurchased part is moorland and rough 

 mountain grazing. No part of this catchment area is 

 wooded. 



The Mourne catchment area, 33 miles south of Belfast 

 and 5 miles from Kilkeel, at 450 to 2800 feet elevation, 

 in the Happy Valley of the Mourne Mountains, contains 

 8724 acres, all of which has been purchased by the Com- 

 missioners. It consists of steep, treeless mountain slopes, 

 without dwellings, on which only a few sheep can be 

 grazed, and is above the agricultural zone. The water is 

 filtered. No scheme for planting has been proposed ; and 

 Mr. R. Hamilton, Secretary, considers that " the bare rugged 

 slopes of the Mourne area are incapable of being used with 

 satisfactory results for the planting of trees." 



Lisburn : gathering ground in Aghnahough, Aghalislone, 

 and White Mountain, 476 acres, between 356 and 825 

 feet elevation, comprising 279 acres of arable land, 190 

 acres of mountain pasture, and 7 acres of plantations, with 

 22 farmhouses and 10 cottages. The Council own 28^ 

 acres, all arable. " The streams have been piped at points 

 most liable to surface contamination, and receive constant 

 inspection and supervision. There is no risk of contamina- 

 tion being brought by flood water or rains into the storage 

 reservoir, which is situated between White Mountain and 

 Lisburn. The water supply is filtered." 



Ballymena : gathering ground on Quolie Mountain, 1723 

 acres, between 835 and 1250 feet elevation, all mountain 

 grazing, without habitations or plantations. Council own 

 none of the ground. No special precautions needed against 

 contamination. 



Ballymoney : from Lake Drumbest, 5 J miles distant, at 

 327 feet elevation. Council own only the bank surround- 

 ing the lake. The water is not filtered. 



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