Chadwick Lakes
Chadwick are a number of dams, pouring into each other, on the island of Malta. The area is locally known as Wied il-Qlejgħa (Qliegħa Valley). Their location extends from Qliegħa Valley in the limits of Mtarfa and Rabat, to Għasel Valley (Wied il-Għasel) in the peripheries of Mosta.[1] It consists of a complex system of well-planned small dams, draining into Speranza Valley, and then into the sea at Salina Bay.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]The lakes are formed behind a number of dams constructed by Sir Osbert Chadwick, a British engineer, in the late 19th century.[1] The water drains into Wied Speranza and ends at the sea at Salina Bay.[2] The valley provides farmers with water to irrigate their land.[1] Wied il-Qliegħa is only full during the winter months.[2] During this period, the lakes are abundant with life. Biodiversity includes several indigenous plants, insects, tadpoles/frogs and crustaceans.[1]
Chadwick Lakes lie along Malta's only freshwater stream big enough to be called a rivulet, providing a tranquil environment for people to enjoy.[2][3]
In February 2009, Matthew Psaila a 19 year old gunner, drowned during an Armed Forces of Malta training exercise in Wied il-Qliegħa. This particular exercise is part of the C Company's training syllabus and had been practiced for several years.[4][5]
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As of 2018, Chadwick Lakes has been a site of particular interest to biodiversity and conservation specialists as the presence of alien species of crayfish is putting significant pressure on the local environment via predation and habitat destruction.[6]
References
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- ^ The Victorians in Malta: Part III (Architecture and Civil and Military Engineering Projects)
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