Chadwick Lakes Explained

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. It consists of a complex system of well-planned small dams, draining into Speranza Valley, and then into the sea at Salina Bay.

History

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. The valley provides farmers with water to irrigate their land.[1] Wied il-Qliegħa is only full during the winter months. 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]

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

35.8919°N 14.39°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: Morana. Martin. Bejn kliem u storja: glossarju enċiklopediku dwar tradizzjonijiet - toponimi - termini storiċi Maltin. September 2011. Martin Morana (by author). Malta. 978-99957-0-137-6. 908059040. Maltese. 47.
  2. Web site: A visit to Chadwick. Ken's Photo Adventures. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305125900/http://kensphotoadventures.blogspot.com/2009/02/a-visit-to-chadwick.html. 5 March 2016. 15 February 2009.
  3. http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/malta/3.html The Victorians in Malta: Part III (Architecture and Civil and Military Engineering Projects)
  4. News: Soldiers acquitted over Gunner Matthew Psaila's death. The Malta Independent. 25 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140202234842/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-09-25/news/soldiers-acquitted-over-gunner-matthew-psailas-death-2716368897. 2 February 2014.
  5. Web site: What happened on... July 25 . Timesofmalta.com . 1940-08-22 . 2020-02-27.
  6. Web site: Invasion by non-indigenous freshwater decapods of Malta and Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea | Journal of Crustacean Biology | Oxford Academic . Academic.oup.com . 2020-02-27.