Tag Archives: Lough Derg

Waterways Ireland “missed the boat” to provide a new canoe trail this summer, according to a local councillor. Councillor Pat Burke expressed disappointment that the proposed Lough Derg Canoe Trail, which was supposed to start with preliminary works last spring, will not be completed in time for this year’s high tourist season. He had asked Clare County Council and Waterways Ireland to provide an up-to-date progress report on the planned toilet, shower block and canoe storage facilities at Dromaan and Mountshannon Harbours in East Clare. “Waterways Ireland has missed the boat for the 2016 summer season. We were told previously that work would commence in the springtime; now works will not begin until the end of August. It will be next summer before anyone will be able to avail of this canoe trail,” he said. The Lough Derg Canoe Trail project is an initiative of the Lough Derg Marketing Group and is being funded under the Lough Derg Stimulus Fund. …

FIGURES compiled by Clare County Council reveal that 414 potential accidents were avoided at Clare’s nine Blue Flag beaches during the four weekends in June, due to the presence of on-duty lifeguards. The figures, which were released on Wednesday, show that four swimmers were rescued by lifeguards from the water, 68 people received first aid treatment, lifeguards reunited lost children with their guardians on six occasions, while safety advice was provided on 1,667 occasions. Clare County Council employs full-time lifeguard cover at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan), Seafield IN Quilty and at Clare’s nine Blue Flag beaches from 11am to 7pm daily during July and August and on weekends during the month of June every year. “We want families and all visitors to our beaches to enjoy themselves but to be mindful of the importance of water safety awareness,” Clare McGrath, Clare Water Safety Development Officer said. “Many of the incidents related to informing and assisting bathers who had knowingly or unknowingly …

Environmental Protection Agency testing over the past three years has found that bathing waters in Clare are “excellent”. The EPA report Bathing Water Quality in Ireland – A Report for the Year 2015 published this week states that 93 per cent of Irish bathing waters meet minimum EU Standards and three quarters of bathing waters continue to be of Excellent quality for the second-year running. Fresh water bathing waters at Ballyalla Lake, Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon (Lough Derg) were found to be excellent in terms of their E. coli, intestinal enterococci and overall status as were Bishopsquarter, Cappagh Pier in Kilrush, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Spanish Point, White Strand Doonbeg and Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay. Traught in Kinvara was also found to be excellent for the three years between 2012 and 2015. “Despite a cool and, at times, wet and windy summer, the overall quality of Ireland’s bathing waters continues to be extremely good with the stricter standards providing a high level of …

Levels in Lough Derg have increased overnight and the flow of water through Parteen Weir will increase to 195 cubic metres per second today (Wednesday). Since last weekend, the level of flow has been at 160 cumecs. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. This level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir. The ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant county councils.

Water levels in Lough Derg have continued to fall overnight and the flow through Parteen Weir will remain at 195 cubic metres per second today (Friday). The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. Any increases in the flow of water through the Weir, which will depend on actual rainfall in the Shannon catchment in the coming days, will be advised through the normal channels and by press release. This level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues. ESB is continuing to monitor the situation in consultation with the local authorities.

There has been a big change for the better with the water levels situation on Lough Derg. ESB advises that levels in Lough Derg have continued to fall overnight and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will reduce to 230 cubic metres per second today (Tuesday). The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. However, this level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues. ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with local councils.

Levels in Lough Derg continue to drop and the flow of water through Parteen Weir will further reduce to 335 cubic metres per second today (Wednesday), according to ESB Networks. This follows a reduction in flow to 370 cumecs yesterday afternoon. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. This level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also remain vulnerable to flooding due to local issues. ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the local authorities.

ESB advises that the levels in Lough Derg continue to drop and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will further reduce to 370 cumecs cubic metres per second this afternoon (Tuesday). This follows a reduction in flow to 405 cumecs yesterday. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. Howevere, this level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues. ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant county councils.