Chesterfield Canal

[Mrgasman]

As a member of the RWBC we all received this email today from richard.delves@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

It's been busy up here recently, so I hope the news wont disappoint anyone.
 

 

Reason for contact (Subject): Notice of navigation restriction on the Chesterfield Canal from 1st September

Details: I hope you are all well.

Notice of navigation restriction on the Chesterfield Canal from 1st September
I’m writing to let you know that the Trust is putting a navigation restriction in place on the Chesterfield canal from 1st September. This will affect the 6-mile length between Lock 41A Boundary Lock to summit (Norwood Tunnel), and is due to the combined effect of reduced reservoir capacity and a period of prolonged dry weather.
Our main objective has been to keep the canal open during the peak holiday months of July and August and the Trust’s operational and water management teams are working hard to conserve enough water now to make this happen.
To ensure we can offer navigation along the rest of the Chesterfield canal in the coming months, the Chesterfield Canal will close from Lock 41A Boundary Lock to summit (Norwood Tunnel) on the 1st September 2020. Whilst this is a disappointment for boaters wishing to pass through Turnerwood Locks and reach the summit, closing this length of the navigation causes the least impact on the overall navigation and saves the most water.
These are the three contributing factors:

1) Despite recent rainfall, the first half of the year has been exceptionally dry, and Chesterfield Canal relies on a regular supply of rainfall to replenish its resources.
2) There has been a significant increase in boat movements along the canal since lockdown restrictions were lifted, leading to a higher loss of water than normal as vessels move through locks.
3) Feeder reservoirs Pebley and Harthill were not able to operate at peak capacity during 2020 due to vital engineering inspections. As of 20th August 2020, feeder reservoirs at Pebley and Harthill are at 35% of holding capacity, with predictions that the reservoirs will pass the critical level of 20% within four weeks at the current rate of use, unless there is significant rainfall.
This closure will be reviewed weekly, if the situation continues to deteriorate the restrictions may need to be extended. However, if water levels allow, the canal will be re-opened.

[LadyG]

Strange, it's been raining heavily the past few days, I notified CRT tbat a weir twixt Clayworth and Clarborough was leaking due to a fault which looks pretty much long  term, best to repair that first imho.

[Naughty Cal]

Not sure where abouts on the canal you are at the moment but here in Worksop and Shireoaks we have not had a lot of rain.

 

We had one evening with a couple of hours of heavy rain and it rained on and off on Wednesday but other than that the forecast rain didn't arrive. It has been very dry this year.

 

We could do with the rain forecast for next week actually arriving!