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Activity
The group’s extensive work programme demonstrates the ongoing work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly and proactively address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity:
- Physical Works
- Maintenance
- Water Management
- Regulatory
- Policy & Planning
Initiatives
The group is currently progressing a number of collaborative initiatives including:
- Implementing a strategic maintenance programme to halt the deterioration of the River Shannon
- Identifying short-term targeted maintenance activities for individual locations
- Trialling the lowering of the levels on Lough Allen
- Assessing further possible measures to address flood risk on the Shannon Callows
Strategic Maintenance
Maintenance of rivers and other watercourses has some benefit in preventing the deterioration of channel conveyance capacity. While maintenance on its own cannot protect properties and has no beneficial effect on extreme flood events, It is recognised that maintenance can play a positive role in mitigating against the effects of less severe flood events and summer flooding. However, the River Shannon is in a largely rural district with many protected sites. Any interventions in these areas require statutory consents and approvals from the appropriate authorities.
On behalf of the Group, Waterways Ireland is advancing a planned programme of strategic maintenance works to improve the conveyance capacity of the River Shannon with allocated funding of €3 million.
These works include the management and delivery of tree pruning and vegetation maintenance along with ecological and environmental assessments at 23 locations along the Shannon. To date, circa €1.33 million has been provided to Waterways Ireland for these works.
