Farmers to benefit from Shannon dredging

Farmers on the Shannon Callows should benefit from the next phase of maintenance work on the river, details of which were announced this week by Minister of State Kevin ‘‘Boxer’’ Moran. It will involve removal of up to 16 underwater obstacles between Athlone and Meelick Weir.

A minimum cover of water has to be kept over these obstacles or “pinch points” during the summer tourist season for safe navigation by cruisers.

Removal or lowering of the pinch points, usually rocks or shelves, will allow Waterways Ireland in turn lower the level of the river while maintaining safe cover. This will help to reduce the risk of summer flooding of land, houses and farmyards.

Minister Moran told the Irish Farmers Journal that removal of the pinch points will allow the level of the river be lowered by 12 to 13 inches in summertime.

Navigation

“Weir boards are in place at Meelick Weir to keep enough water under boats to allow them navigate over these pinch points.

This work will allow the weir boards be removed or lowered.”

An engineering consultant has been appointed to draw up a plan for removal of the pinch points.

This plan is likely to be delivered in the second half of 2019, allowing work to begin.

Minister Moran also announced that removal of fallen trees from the river at Madden’s Island would recommence next week and continue until February.

“These trees are obstructing water flow. Removing them will allow water get through the system more quickly.”

He also said that repairs to the river bank have now been carried out at seven of the nine approved locations. These projects involve removal of silt and vegetation where the river banks have fallen in, restoring the original channel. Great care has been taken during this work to minimise or avoid damage to wildlife, the minister said.

“In some cases, the width of the river had reduced to no more than 45ft but has now been restored to over 70ft.”