Shannon rises 1.7 metres in just eleven days
Shannon water levels in Athlone have risen by 1.7 metres in eleven days, it has emerged.
The water level remains about 1.2 metres below the peak of the winter floods in 2015/2016 but is only about 35 centimetres below the level at which last year's flood warnings began.
According to the OPW's waterlevel.ie website, the water level at the measuring station just downstream of Athlone Weir was 4.69m above ordnance datum at 5.30pm on Wednesday.
This compares to a reading of 3metres on February 26, eleven short days ago.
In comparison to the 4.69m reading today, March 8,, the peak level during the floods last winter (on January 4, 2016) was 5.865m above ordinance datum.
However, on December 4 2015, at the start of the last flood crisis, the water levels at the same measuring station was about 5.05m above ordnance datum, or 36 centimetres above the current levels.
Deputy Kevin 'Boxer' Moran today confirmed that the ESB has increased water flow through Parteen Weir to lower the levels of the River Shannon at Lough Ree and downstream of Athlone.
“The move is a result of ongoing actions undertaken in recent days by the Minister for the OPW and flood relief and the ESB following my representations to both over the past few days concerning water levels,” said Deputy Moran.
Deputy Moran confirmed that the ESB has advised that the flow of water through Parteen Weir has been increased to 50 cubic metres per second.”
“Over the last fortnight we have witnessed increased rainfalls, particularly since last Friday and over the weekend. I can understand the levels of concern from the public and those who have been previously affected by the last major flooding,” said Deputy Moran.
“I want to reassure people that both the Minister and I are continuing to monitor the levels of the River Shannon on a daily basis and are prepared to intervene where necessary to ensure that water levels do not become a cause of major concern.”
“I have visited a number of areas, including Portlick, Golden Island, Clonown, Meelick Weir and Banagher in recent days and I fully understand the concerns because when people start seeing the water rising, there is understandably a fear that things will get worse,” said Deputy Moran.
“With the increase level of water going through Parteen Weir and other measures, and with little rainfall forecast over the next few days we should see an improvement if that remains the case.”
“I want to reassure people that we are keeping a very close eye on the situation,” said Deputy Moran.
“However, the weather likely to improve over the coming days, and the measures undertaken by the Minister and the OPW, should see an improvement over the coming days.”