Drought conditions for boaters

Saturday, 18 February 2012 16:04

At the moment some parts of England and Wales are "in drought", says the Environment Agency. They keep a close eye on the water levels around the country. Drought affects boaters and non-boaters alike - we are all using a precious resource. 

Water fountain at Rugby Station

So will all this affect us? Will you have water problems when you are on your narrowboat? Will there be enough water to cruise our canals and rivers this year? .....

Caroline Spelman, the Enviroment Secretary, is calling a "water summit".. Meanwhile this article from Blue and Green Tomorrow makes sober reading.

It might be a good idea to take a look at this map and plan your cruising accordingly! The EA also produce Regional Water Reports which give a regular guide as to what is happening in various parts of country.

There have already been stoppages and restricted times at locks in the 2011 "cruising season". Fortunately we were not held up, as we were on the River Thames. But it was obvious that the Thames water level was lower by the time we cruised upstream in the autumn. We found it harder to get right into the bank at known mooring spots than when we had been going downstream.

"Our" rough mooring below Newbridge

But this year it may all be worse. BW have already announced a stoppage on the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union canal to repair lock gates to prevent leakage and save water. They are consulting on water management with "all the relevant stakeholders" and no doubt the boating press will cover their plans. More stoppages? More repairs? More restrictions?

BW have a "Reservoir Watch", and the Reservoir Holdings document for February makes interesting reading. We have just left Birmingham and the BCN where the Chasewater Reservoir level is one of the lowest, but not because of drought, but repair! The reservoirs  for the Oxford and Grand Union canals are the next lowest. Tring Reservoirs look frighteningly low, Food for thought for southern boaters! 

However northern reservoirs have had their problems too.

BW's Barrowford Reservoir in July 2009 (Leeds and Liverpool Canal)

BW's Redbrook Reservoir under repair 2010 (Huddersfield Canal)

So to sum it all up - we need rain, lots and lots of it, if the canals and rivers are not to suffer from lack of water. However, that will not suit some boaters either as there are lots of "fair weather sailors" out there!

We have said it ourselves recently: "we don't want it to rain when we are on holiday". Us, holiday? Some would say our life as continuous cruisers is one long holiday. Some should come and spend a few days with us in the winter!

But we are taking a "busman's holiday" later this year - now that has got you guessing!