Funshinagh flood relief scheme unlikely before next Spring

Residents around Lough Funshinagh are unlikely to see any solution to the flooding crisis implemented before Spring.

This means an average amount of rainfall this winter could lead to further flooding, with Curraghboy village in danger of flash floods.

An Bord Pleanála is projecting that it will reach a decision on the Roscommon County Council's application for temporary flood relief measures for the area by March 18 next year.

The application to develop an interim flood relief scheme to pump water from Lough Funshinagh and to discharge the water to the Cross River, within the townland of Carrick was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on Friday, September 20, and remains open to submissions or objections from third parties until November 1.

Councillor Laurence Fallon has said he hopes the An Bord Pleanála will be able to make a decision quickly, as “we need the decision much faster to remove water during winter”.

He said the temporary solution proposed by Roscommon County Council is the only system available to address flooding from the lake quickly.

He reiterated, however, that the timing of the decision remains a matter for the board.

Cllr Fallon noted that the water in Lough Funshinagh is substantially higher than a year previously, and there may be reasonable variations in the rainfall from year to year.

“An average amount of rainfall will lead to an issue with flooding,” the councillor said.

The lake in South Roscommon expanded to an unprecedented level last winter, resulting in some homes being evacuated and many others requiring the continuous use of industrial pumps in order to stay dry.

Due to continuing high levels of water in the lake during the year, it was feared the coming winter months would see further and more extensive flooding.

The project overview for the Roscommon County Council planning application states the aim of the temporary solution is to mitigate against any increases in water levels before a permanent scheme is developed and to “limit the peak water level to a level that will allow the flood risk to the properties around the lough to be successfully managed”.

The overview says Roscommon County Council is currently “providing flood defences for eight additional homes and maintaining access to two more properties at risk. Two public roads remain closed because of the high water level.”

As the water will drain more slowly from the lake duing the winter months, there is a “high probability” that the lake could reach a level of 69.60 metres by spring 2025, and a “medium probability” it could rise to 69.95 metres.

If this occurs, the overview says “the entire net inflow to Lough Funshinagh will ultimately flow through Curraghboy village at an average rate of 600 litres per second.”