Tag Archives: Springfield

Water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield in Clonlara, have risen two inches following overnight rainfall and are now approximately 4-5 inches below the November 2009 peak level, which was reached on Saturday night last. Clare County Council says 8mm of rainfall during Wednesday evening and overnight has contributed to the rise in water levels but that further increases are not anticipated during today, Thursday. The council’s area staff, assisted by The Defence Forces, are continuing to provide support on the ground in Springfield, as well as assist in the transportation of residents of properties isolated by floodwaters. Meanwhile, the ESB confirmed that levels in  Lough Derg stabilised in the past 24 hours and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at 470 cumecs (cubic metres per second) today. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. The ESB warned that this level of water flow will continue to have associated flooding to land and property …

Clare County Council says it is anticipating an increase in water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield, Clonlara later this evening and overnight as a result of forecast rainfall and the impact of the spill rate of 470 cubic metres per second (cumecs) being maintained at Parteen Weir by the ESB. The local authority, assisted by Clare Civil Defence and The Defence Forces, is maintaining a 24-hour presence to assist residents affected by flooding and to respond to any additional impact. Approximately 5,000 sandbags have been installed in the Springfield area to assist residents of up to 15 properties. Additional sandbags are on standby if required. Up to 30 pumps have been deployed to and are operating in the area. Met Éireann currently has a Yellow Weather Advisory in place for County Clare and is forecasting that a band of rain will move slowly northeastwards over Ireland through this afternoon, evening and tonight. Rainfall amounts of 15 to …

The ESB has cautioned that the levels in Lough Derg have increased marginally in the past 24 hours and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at 470 cubic metres per second today (Tuesday). The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow. The levels in Lough Derg may reach 2009 levels in the coming days and, as a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase up to those levels (up to 500 cumecs). 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.  

Residents on the outskirts of Clonlara, who have been left marooned by rising flood waters, have urged Agriculture Minister not to forget them ahead of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. Minister Coveney visited some residents in a flat bottom boat with the help of the Irish Defence Forces early on Sunday morning. The Cork Deputy, who was the first government representative to visit the devastated community, since it began to flood nearly a month ago, spoke to householders,  who are cut off from their homes due to the flooding of a local access road. Standing with the minister in the river of water surrounding her home, resident, Lisa Griffin asked the minister to save the community from the regular incidence of flooding, which first started in 1995. When the ESB-operated Parteen Weir reaches capacity, the company releases excess volumes of water, which in turn results in Springfield and the wider Clonlara area becoming flooded. “If you are going to protect Athlone you are going …

Water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield, Clonlara, reached the November 2009 peak level during Wednesday afternoon but have since receded by approximately 100mm, Clare County Council has said. The council has received confirmation from the ESB of its decision to maintain the spill rate at Parteen Weir at 440 cubic metres per second during today (Thursday). The council says it is monitoring water levels at Springfield, having regard to any potential increase in the spill rate at Parteen Weir and flood levels on the Mulkear River, which enters the River Shannon south of Annacotty. Clare County Council area staff, Clare County Fire & Rescue Service, The Defence Forces and Clare Civil Defence are continuing to provide support on the ground in Springfield, as well as assist in the transportation of residents of approximately a dozen properties isolated by floodwaters. Meanwhile, at Ballycoree Bridge, Ballyalla, Ennis, the River Fergus has recorded its third highest flow rate on record. The flow …

Clare County Council has reported water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield, Clonlara, increased by 5-10cm (50-100mm) during Tuesday and overnight, and are now just under 20cm (200mm) lower than they were at their peak on December 13. The council says that the Mulkear River in County Limerick, which enters the River Shannon south of Annacotty, is currently in flood and is contributing to increased water levels at Springfield. Council staff are being assisted by the Fire Service and Defence Forces at Springfield, Clonlara, in its ongoing pumping operations and transportation of residents to and from approximately 12 homes isolated by flood waters.

The flow of water through Parteen Weir is likely to increase in the coming days, given the high levels of rainfall forecast in the Shannon catchment, as a result of Storm Frank, the ESB has confirmed. The flow is set to increase to 440 cubic metres per second later today (Tuesday). The levels in Lough Derg are likely to increase to 2009 levels in the coming days and, as a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase up to 2009 levels (up to 500 cubic metres). This level of water flow will have increased 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. Note that other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues. The ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant local authorities. …

Residents who have been left traumatised by flooding on the outskirts of Clonlara have vowed to embark on a campaign in the New Year to secure long term solutions. Springfield resident, Geraldine Quinlivan stressed that householders deserved proper flood protection to avoid a repeat of the scenario where her husband, brothers and nephews were forced to “sleep on sandbags underneath an umbrella” in an effort to protect homes. Three possible solutions to prevent future flooding in Springfield have been identified in the draft CFRAM study, which is being conducted by the OPW, according to Ms Quinlivan. They include the completion of dredging and cleaning the old River Shannon at an area known locally as The Cut as well as changing the current course of where the Mulcair River cuts across the River Shannon to ensure it flows in the one direction. Another solution involves the completion of a new landbank about one mile behind houses in Sringfield with a sluice …