One of the dams surrounded by fields, in Rabat

Chadwick are a number of dams, pouring into each other, on the island of Malta. The area is locally known as Wied il-Qlejgħa. Their location extends from Qliegħa Valley (Wied il-Qliegħa) in the limits of Mtarfa and Rabat, and extends 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, then at Salina Bay, and then into the sea.[2]

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.[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]

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 Morana, Martin (September 2011). Bejn kliem u storja: glossarju enċiklopediku dwar tradizzjonijiet - toponimi - termini storiċi Maltin (in Maltese). Malta: Martin Morana (by author). p. 47. ISBN 978-99957-0-137-6. OCLC 908059040.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "A visit to Chadwick". Ken's Photo Adventures. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  3. ↑ The Victorians in Malta: Part III (Architecture and Civil and Military Engineering Projects)
  4. ↑ "Soldiers acquitted over Gunner Matthew Psaila's death". The Malta Independent. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "What happened on... July 25". Timesofmalta.com. 1940-08-22. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  6. ↑ "Invasion by non-indigenous freshwater decapods of Malta and Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea | Journal of Crustacean Biology | Oxford Academic". Academic.oup.com. Retrieved 2020-02-27.

35°53′31″N 14°23′24″E / 35.8919°N 14.3900°E / 35.8919; 14.3900

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