Too many organisations with a say in the River Shannon

Cllr Des Guckian asked that all bodies controlling the Shannon water levels be informed that "we are opposed to the flow of the Shannon and its tributaries being held back so that it causes severe floods which threaten houses, towns and reasonably valuable farmland from north of Lough Allen to Limerick."

Speaking at the monthly council meeting which was held in Kinlough, he continued that "we urge Lough Allen be lowered, that all shallows be deepened and rocky nick-points be removed and that the river be kept flowing fast when heavy rainfall is forecasted. Also, that a copy of this motion be forwarded to the OPW, etc. and to all councils which border the River Shannon."

He said he understood that "there are twenty bodies that claim some control on the Shannon" and "the ESB claims ownership of the river and its fisheries and does not want to lower the level of Lough Allen". 

He said that Waterways Ireland "maintains the navigation channel, sluices and weirs, but this is done on the instructions of the ESB" and that last July, "the land that was flooded was useless for grazing and homes, buildings and farmyards were under water."

He stated that the council gave "permissions to build on land not far from the Shannon" and that Drumhierney Manor and Cluain Oir housing estates were affected by this. 

He suggested corresponding with the OPW, the ESB, Waterways Ireland, The NPWS and the IFA as well as other councils and the junior minister.

Cllr Enda McGloin and Cllr Brendan Barry supported the motion with Cllr Barry saying "the Shannon is too complicated to be split up with so many organisations having a say in it and everyone fobs it off on to someone else" but added it's not as simple as "working the gates in Lough Allen and that will solve all the problems."

He said that in terms of the flooding that affects Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village "that's coming from the Boyle River" and that the level of Lough Allen can change by several feet overnight after heavy rain and then "goes out over the top of the gate." 

He said he's had several meetings with senior ESB staff and farmers from The Callows in Athlone.

He continued that Leitrim County Council did "great work in Jamestown where a pinchpoint was removed from the river" and asked about the results of a public consultation to develop a Flood Relief Scheme in Carrick-on-Shannon and Cortober as well as the Jamestown and Lough Allen areas. 

Cllr Sean McGowan supported the motion also and said he felt there are "too many bodies with a say on the operation of the Shannon" before adding that "there has been a lot of work done to remove pinch points south of Athlone which have helped."

He continued that "the Shannon will always be a problem" but "we haven't had the raises we had in 2009/10."

Cllr Guckian said that in his view, "at Rooskey, the floods are still being kept up on top of us and the locks there are not being opened up."