--- In [email protected], I CANE <iwlcfa...@...> wrote: > > Just returned from a week with our trailboat on the Mon & Brec canal. We > originally took the boat down to Newport - and ended up being the first boat > to Pentre Lane - then trailed to Llangattock and left it at Heron's Rest > Marina - a well organised and friendly set up with excellent facilities. > > However, on our cruise from Five locks to Brecon Basin - we suddenly found > that water shortage in the Usk has lead to locking restrictions that are not > well publicised - except with a note on the gates when you get there - > resulting in overnight queues and a busy pub (well there is always a silver > lining!) > > Locks 64, 68 and 69 are padlocked from 4 pm to 10 am, and on busy days there > is meant to be some control over the use of the 64 to 68 flight by BW - but > we didn't see any evidence of that. > > Ivan Cane > NAVI > > Ivan
BW put a notice on Waterscape but maybe their local signing needs to be improved John http://www.boatmail.co.uk - the mail forwarding specialist http://www.canalandriversidepubs.co.uk - all the waterway pubs The Environment Agency have advised that Flow Levels in the River Usk have continued to fall and Drought flows are now being recorded. As a result we are obliged to reduce our demand for water. Unfortunately it will be necessary to introduce a series of measures to manage the water we use on the canal from Monday 28th June. The application of these measures will ensure water levels in the canal are maintained as long as possible throughout the season. These measures and the impact they have on our demand for water will be reviewed on a weekly basis and the results published for your information. Please be advised that unless we receive significant rainfall it may be necessary to escalate these initial measures over the coming weeks. Please note that as soon as water levels in the River Usk recover these measures will be removed. We genuinely understand the concerns customers may have with the implementation of these measures. Should it be necessary to continue to escalate water management measures over the course of the summer British Waterways will work to ensure the best balance of measures is implemented. In addition to the measures listed here British Waterways are investigating the practicality of providing back pumps at a number of locations along the canal and are also targeting local recourses at works to minimise water loss such as leak stopping and weir repairs. Demand Management Measures: Monday 28th June Locks 64, 68 and 69 will be locked between the hours of 19.00 and 08.00. This will hopefully allow additional time for water levels along the canal to recover from the previous days activities. Please be advised customers who are in the flight at 7pm will be asked to find a suitable place to moor overnight and wait until the flight opens next morning. Locks 64 to 68 will be manned by a British Waterways Operative during periods of high demand Saturday, Sunday & Wednesday 10am till 3pm. This will ensure losses are minimised and the use of `set' locks is maximised. The bottom offside paddle at Lock 64 will be locked to reduce the surge of water leaving the lock and being lost over the waste weir. Demand Management Measures: Monday 5th July Locks 64, 68 and 69 will be locked between the hours of 16.00 and 10.00. The duration of manning of locks 64 to 68 will be increased.
