Waterways Ireland from a personal view of a hire boater
MARINE NOTICE, No.131 of 2015
SHANNON NAVIGATION
LOW WATER LEVELS
WATERWAYS IRELAND WISHES TO ADVISE ALL MASTERS AND USERS OF THE SHANNON NAVIGATION THAT THE WATER LEVELS HAVE DROPPED BELOW ORDINARY SUMMER LEVEL DUE TO LOW RAINFALL IN RECENT WEEKS.
MASTERS OF VESSELS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH DEEP DRAFTS, ARE ADVISED TO NAVIGATE WITH DUE CAUTION.
Charles J. Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 16 Oct 2015
MARINE NOTICE, No. 88 of 2014
(Re-issued 14 Oct 2014)
All Navigations
Low Water Levels
Advisory Information
The extended period of dry weather has meant that water levels in the navigations are presently lower than normal for this time of year.
Masters and users are advised of the following:
Navigation
Where water levels fall below normal summer levels masters should be aware that their vessels may be at risk of grounding, particularly deep drafted vessels.
To reduce this risk masters should navigate where possible on or near the centreline of the channel and also avoid short cutting in dog-legged channels and navigating too close to navigation markers.
Proceeding at a slow speed will also reduce “squat” effect i.e. where the vessel tends to sit lower in the water as a consequence of higher speed.
Slipways
Low water levels will also impact on slipways with reduced slipway length available under the water surface and the possibility of launching trailers dropping off the end of the concrete apron onto the river /lake bed and causing damage to trailer, outboard motor or boat. More slipway surface will also be susceptible to weed growth requiring care while engaged in launching boats.
Bank Erosion
Very dry riverbanks are more susceptible to erosion from vessel wash. Please ensure you adhere to the speed limits and maintain a reduced wash.
Lock Share.
Where appropriate by maximising on the number of vessels in a lock the total volume of water moving downstream is decreased. This also reduces the volume of water used. Please be patient and wait for other boaters to share the lock with you rather than using locks for single passages.
Efficient Lock Use.
Make sure lock cycles are used for vessels travelling each way. Each lock cycle should take boats both up and down stream. Shut all sluice gates and paddles when leaving a lock.
Service Blocks
You are requested not to leave taps running at watering points or service blocks in the interest of water conservation.
Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 18 July 2014
MARINE NOTICE, No. 88 of 2014
All Navigations
Low Water Levels
Advisory Information
The extended period of dry weather has meant that water levels in the navigations are presently lower than normal for this time of year.
Masters and users are advised of the following:
Navigation
Where water levels fall below normal summer levels masters should be aware that their vessels may be at risk of grounding, particularly deep drafted vessels. To reduce this risk masters should navigate where possible on or near the centreline of the channel and also avoid short cutting in dog-legged channels and navigating too close to navigation markers. Proceeding at a slow speed will also reduce “squat” effect i.e. where the vessel tends to sit lower in the water as a consequence of higher speed.
Slipways
Low water levels will also impact on slipways with reduced slipway length available under the water surface and the possibility of launching trailers dropping off the end of the concrete apron onto the river /lake bed and causing damage to trailer, outboard motor or boat. More slipway surface will also be susceptible to weed growth requiring care while engaged in launching boats.
Bank Erosion
Very dry riverbanks are more susceptible to erosion from vessel wash. Please ensure you adhere to the speed limits and maintain a reduced wash.
Lock Share.
Where appropriate by maximising on the number of vessels in a lock the total volume of water moving downstream is decreased. This also reduces the volume of water used. Please be patient and wait for other boaters to share the lock with you rather than using locks for single passages.
Efficient Lock Use.
Make sure lock cycles are used for vessels travelling each way. Each lock cycle should take boats both up and down stream. Shut all sluice gates and paddles when leaving a lock.
Service Blocks
You are requested not to leave taps running at watering points or service blocks in the interest of water conservation.
Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 18 July 2014
MARINE NOTICE, No 113 of 2013
SHANNON NAVIGATION
Lough Ree
Cautionary Warning – Low Water Levels
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters that due to the prolonged spell of dry weather water levels on Lough Ree have fallen below normal summer level.
Masters of vessels and particularly those of deep drafted vessels should navigate with due caution and at an appropriate speed to avoid striking the bottom.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 24 Sep 2013
