Someone pulled the plug out!

[Neil TNC]

Just below Enniskillen, the River Erne enters Lower Lough Erne. At this point (Portora) there is a collapsible weir and lock (the only lock on the Waterways Ireland system not contyrolled by them, it is still operated by the NI Rivers Agency). During the winter Lower Lough Erne is dropped by 450mm and the weir and lock at Portora brought operation.

 

Our first time through Portora Lock, with the weir in operation and the lock not straight through

 

Most of the islands now have beaches

 

During the summer you cant see this rocky shoal.

 

 

 

I have never seen the lower lough so still...last time out there in MA, I would NOT have liked to be there in an NB!

 

We had trouble mooring at Devenish jetty - (the hammerhead is reserved for trip boats)

[Wanted]

Stunning! Thanks for posting

[RLWP]

<snip>

 

During the winter Lower Lough Erne is dropped by 450mm

 

<snip>

 

Why?

 

And more pictures please

 

Richard

[pquinn]

you lucky man.

[Neil TNC]

Why?

 

And more pictures please

 

Richard

 

AFAIK to stop Enniskillen flooding due to the "winter" flows ponding up in the Lower Lough. Of course over last couple of years the rainfall in Ireland has been somewhat confused, like over here and summer flows have been as bad as the winter. The outfall from Lower Lough Erne is dumped through a couple of Hydro-electyric dams at Ballyshannon, in the ROI

ESB Linky

 

As for more piccies, you have inspired me to put up a TNC page!...I will give then url when it is done.

 

Here is a typically pretty Irish sunset to be getting on with

[DandV]

Certainly here in the Antipodes the fact that Ireland has an extensive, and as we found very very beautiful, inland waterways system comes as a surprise. The Canal de Midi is extremely well known here, so much so, that one suspects half the boats are flying the Aussi, and the NZ versions of the defaced blue ensign. The number of boats sporting Maori names on Jim Shead's site indicates kiwis are well represented on the English cut, but Ireland? People here are surprised when we show them a map of the extent of the system. I actually suspect that even in the UK, the extent and beauty of the Irish waterways is largely unknown.

 

Auckland Don