Tring Summit closure

[Hairy-Neil]

The odds are stacked against BW, if you look at early pictures of the Tring summit (or canals generally) the banks of the cutting were grass covered, now they are heavily wooded - trees need water, this and a lack of puddling when built has not helped the situation.

 

 

You are overlooking something here. When the water table is 'normal' the unlined canal bed is a feeder to the canal....

[LEO]

You are overlooking something here. When the water table is 'normal' the unlined canal bed is a feeder to the canal....

 

Hi,

 

Yes and no... I have only known one time when the water table was 'normal' - after a long wet winter in about 1998 or '99, when the River Bulbourne decided to flow overground (much to the chagrin of a local garage), this then entered a culvert and fed the canal just below Cowroast lock. After a few weeks the water levels dropped and this stream stopped flowing.

 

The borehole at Cowroast pumps water from a deep underground source and it takes years for water to percolate down to this level.

 

Demand for water from underground sources is high in the immediate area, at a sligtly higher level about 1 mile from the Cowroast borehole is a major underground water extraction plant for 3 Valleys Water (now Veolia). I would imagine the extraction licence they have is more favourable than that which BW has.

 

The amount of pumping by BW (pumps running 24 hours a day) from the borehole is evident from the clarity of the water around and in the lock at Cowroast - I have never known it to remain as clear as it is for so many weeks, with the bottom being clearly visible.

 

Leo.

Edited January 8, 2012 by LEO

[jenlyn]

Hi,

 

The fact there is water management has shown that an immediate stoppage is needed. If the water is not entering the reservoirs and aquifers through natural means (rainfall) BW cannot use it.

 

As I said, this situation was outlined at a BW user meeting last October (I put a post on to this effect following a report by KK).

 

The odds are stacked against BW, if you look at early pictures of the Tring summit (or canals generally) the banks of the cutting were grass covered, now they are heavily wooded - trees need water, this and a lack of puddling when built has not helped the situation.

 

As reported earlier, BW's case was well presented, the 'stored' water availability generally on canals is poor and the knock on effects for major events later in 2012 are enourmous.

 

If a boater was heading towards a stoppage caused by a breach or tunnel collapse that stoppage would be immediate and without warning, a major hydrological problem such as this should be treated the same.

 

KK alerted the meeting to a wonderful picture of an early stoppage at Cowroast where many working boats were held up by a stoppage caused by a water shortage, Cowroast was crowded with boats then - it would seem that history has repeated itself.

 

Leo.

I did several trips around that area last summer, the gates between tring and berkhampstead were leaking quite badly, berkhampstead park was flooding on two occasions. Preventative maintenance needed in that area, as well as rain.

[LEO]

I did several trips around that area last summer, the gates between tring and berkhampstead were leaking quite badly, berkhampstead park was flooding on two occasions. Preventative maintenance needed in that area, as well as rain.

 

Hi,

 

The main problem is the water shortage to service the summit, Berko may have flooded due to vandalism.

 

Leo.

[jenlyn]

Hi,

 

The main problem is the water shortage to service the summit, Berko may have flooded due to vandalism.

 

Leo.

No, I was there moored, it was the amount of leakage from the gates and then no leakage at Berko town lock

[BlueStringPudding]

I'd heard that the clearness of the water near Cow Roast was due to BW putting chemicals in the water to clear it (which is why it's also occasionally a strange opaque pale turquoise colour). One of the boaters near me mentioned it was part of BW's technique for checking for any breach/following other water loss.

[jenlyn]

I'd heard that the clearness of the water near Cow Roast was due to BW putting chemicals in the water to clear it (which is why it's also occasionally a strange opaque pale turquoise colour). One of the boaters near me mentioned it was part of BW's technique for checking for any breach/following other water loss.

your absolutely correct, i was told yesterday by a towpath employee that they had been doing tests in that area

[AJLintern]

Must be like when they add finings to beer to prevent a cloudy pint

[Batavia]

I'd heard that the clearness of the water near Cow Roast was due to BW putting chemicals in the water to clear it (which is why it's also occasionally a strange opaque pale turquoise colour). One of the boaters near me mentioned it was part of BW's technique for checking for any breach/following other water loss.

 

The clarity is due to all the water being pumped up from the borehole (it can also be seen, to a lesser extent, at Northchurch). The addition of dye for leak location is a different issue.

 

In Berkhamsted, Lock 53 leaks quite badly, with the result that the pound above it is frequently low - or overflowing when it has been refilled to excess. The pound below Lock 53 is normally full, but its level can drop dramatically (about 500mm on Saturday, for instance) when water is run down by less-than-expert users to refill the pounds below locks 55 and 56.

 

It will be interesting to see if all the water which currently flows though Berkhamsted can be suplied from the Northchurch borehole (a great deal of water has been run down south from the summit level in recent months). The mighty River Bulbourne, which runs down the side of our house, currently has about 50mm of water in it.

 

Chris G

[LEO]

I'd heard that the clearness of the water near Cow Roast was due to BW putting chemicals in the water to clear it (which is why it's also occasionally a strange opaque pale turquoise colour). One of the boaters near me mentioned it was part of BW's technique for checking for any breach/following other water loss.

 

Hi,

 

It's caused by pumping pure water (ie drinking quality) from deep chalk boreholes, BW would have to add a huge amount of chemicals to the water they have been pumping to change the water colour.

 

BW have issued an interesting up date press release outlining the problems, lock leakage accounts for very little of the actual water loss.

 

Individuals running water down from the summit caused real problems a few months ago.

 

The situation is due to be reviewed at the end of February.

 

Leo.

[sheriff]

Buggers my plans, but how can they forecast the problem will be sorted in 2 months?

my plans,now need to be revised also,at least I can go up the thames,then onto the oxford.

sometimes BW say one thing then after a short period of time,everything back on track.

 

just txt my friends in BW to find more info.will pm you later

Edited January 8, 2012 by sheriff

[jenlyn]

my plans,now need to be revised also,at least I can go up the thames,then onto the oxford.

sometimes BW say one thing then after a short period of time,everything back on track.

 

just txt my friends in BW to find more info.will pm you later

Cheers mate will owe you a dinner at this rate

[sheriff]

so the effect will cause problems here soon I would of thought,because another feeder the river colne is Low according to a bw empolyee,which will have an added effect....in realty mooring at the best of times on the grand union can cause problems in lots of places.

 

so any reductions in levels over the whole area will be probmatic.......could black my boat again,only did it last year.

 

would of been handy if we had been told a few days earlier,then I could of crossed the summit in time

[alan_fincher]

just txt my friends in BW to find more info.will pm you later

Assuming you are still talking about the Tring summit stoppage, I know that Jim who did the original post here has discussed it in a face to face emergency meeting with Jeff Whyatt, who is the overall manager for South East Waterways, and that the people specialising in this issue and making their recommendations to him were present.

 

I rather suspect therefore that you are not going to find anyone in BW prepared to say anything other than that it will remain closed for an extended period. Although I have heard March mentioned, I think it will actually entirely depend on future assessments of the situation.

 

I have already reported to Jim that some local BW operational staff with a near lifetime's experience of maintenance in the area, (but clearly not specific "hydrology" experience), actually believe that draining a foot of water out of the summit will do little to minimise water loss. That is probably irrelevant, however, as the decision is now made!

[sheriff]

sometimes asking as a customer we get givern a smoke screen of sorts..anyhow the person I talked to was not invited to the two meeting they had ?

 

worth a try..its not a serious problem for me as I can go round via the Thames etc. I would imagine there could be a serious knock on effect for a lot of people who have mooring on the grand union

[koukouvagia]

 

 

KK alerted the meeting to a wonderful picture of an early stoppage at Cowroast where many working boats were held up by a stoppage caused by a water shortage, Cowroast was crowded with boats then - it would seem that history has repeated itself.

 

Leo.

 

Here it is:

 

 

It's quite a well known picture, but I've forgotten the source. I'll take it down if I'm infringing anyone's copyright.

What date would you say this was? I guess around 1900.

[muddywaters]

It's all up here in Yorkshire, we have had rain for 29 days out of 30..

And here in Merseyside lol

[Catrin]

Here it is:

 

 

It's quite a well known picture, but I've forgotten the source. I'll take it down if I'm infringing anyone's copyright.

What date would you say this was? I guess around 1900.

Difficult to say. The woman in the check dress towards the left looks like she's wearing a 'leg of mutton' sleeve - which came in around 1892/3 for the very fashionable (later for the less fashionable) - so 1900-ish is probably fairly likely.

The kids clothing is going to be difficult to date - childrens' clothing changed less than adults.

Cheers

Cath

[alan_fincher]

would of been handy if we had been told a few days earlier,then I could of crossed the summit in time

Still no stoppage notice on Waterscape, so not exactly sure when on Tuesday the planks will be going in.

 

(Jim's post only says "from Tuesday")

 

Assume you mean you are too far away to make it through by then ?

 

If a lock wheeler tomorrow would make the difference, I might be able to help......

 

Alan

[koukouvagia]

Still no stoppage notice on Waterscape, so not exactly sure when on Tuesday the planks will be going in.

 

(Jim's post only says "from Tuesday")

 

Assume you mean you are too far away to make it through by then ?

 

If a lock wheeler tomorrow would make the difference, I might be able to help......

 

Alan

 

I've had an update email from Jeff Whyatt as follows. I think there will be an official announcement tomorrow.

 

We will be lowering the operating levels of the Tring summit by 300mm from Wednesday 11th

January 2012 (am).

The immediate affected area is between :-

 

Lock 39, Startops Reservoir/Bluebells Café, and

Lock 49, Northchurch

(Nb there is a full stoppage already planned at Lock 49 from 23/01 to 03/02)

 

The above section will be CLOSED to through traffic and moored boats* from Wed 11th Jan

until further notice

Reduced operating levels (300mm min) will not allow boats to safely moor or navigate the section

A short section at Cowroast will be contained at normal levels through the implementation of

stop planks (between Lock 46 and New ground bridge, no. X). This will afford stability (although

immobility for moorers at Cowroast long term site and the marina)

The 2 locks (Lock 39 & 49) will be locked throughout, as others may be within the affected area

to avoid losses through misuse.

Aylesbury Arm, will continue to be locked against navigation and open to essential traffic only.

The operating levels of the Arm itself will be subject to further review and nil lockage will be the

target once the dredging team have vacated.

Additional local arrangements will be in place with Bulbourne dry dock to facilitate a restricted

occasional access

[alan_fincher]

I've had an update email from Jeff Whyatt as follows. I think there will be an official announcement tomorrow.

 

We will be lowering the operating levels of the Tring summit by 300mm from Wednesday 11th

January 2012 (am).

The immediate affected area is between :-

 

Lock 39, Startops Reservoir/Bluebells Café, and

Lock 49, Northchurch

(Nb there is a full stoppage already planned at Lock 49 from 23/01 to 03/02)

 

The above section will be CLOSED to through traffic and moored boats* from Wed 11th Jan

until further notice

Reduced operating levels (300mm min) will not allow boats to safely moor or navigate the section

A short section at Cowroast will be contained at normal levels through the implementation of

stop planks (between Lock 46 and New ground bridge, no. X). This will afford stability (although

immobility for moorers at Cowroast long term site and the marina)

The 2 locks (Lock 39 & 49) will be locked throughout, as others may be within the affected area

to avoid losses through misuse.

Aylesbury Arm, will continue to be locked against navigation and open to essential traffic only.

The operating levels of the Arm itself will be subject to further review and nil lockage will be the

target once the dredging team have vacated.

Additional local arrangements will be in place with Bulbourne dry dock to facilitate a restricted

occasional access

Thanks Jim,

 

What a crying shame their procedures can't get it on Waterscape before the weekend - how hard can that be, really. Couldn't they pay some officestaff overtime in view of its importance ?

 

Current arrangements could easily (from my reading of it) allow someone to unknowingly be moving, or about to move, North of Lock 49 or South of Lock 39, and effectively end up "locked in" when it could so easily have been avoided. Moreover as winding will be impossible below 49, anybody who unwittingly ends up there either faces a (very) long reverse back through several locks or...... (well no other option, really!......)

 

I'm not trying to shoot the messenger, Jim, as I know you will have indicated firmly to Whyatt the issues of no advanced warning, but honestly, if nothing is being done to stop people ending up "in a bad place" what a mess, really.

[nigel carton]

I have a boat sat on the Chesterfield canal due to be delivered to Kingston upon Thames, looks like It may have to take the scenic route!

[sheriff]

Still no stoppage notice on Waterscape, so not exactly sure when on Tuesday the planks will be going in.

 

(Jim's post only says "from Tuesday")

 

Assume you mean you are too far away to make it through by then ?

 

If a lock wheeler tomorrow would make the difference, I might be able to help......

 

Alan

IM in Paddington basin.was going to stop at nash mills to see a mate for the day,then one week or less at bulborne to see some friends in bw,as I do on my outbound trip and the same inbound...

if I was aware saturday I could of pushed it to tring 50 locks in time from Paddington....I normally take 3 days solo ...

 

new plan of action cup of tea..will wait till tuesday then either go via the Thames and up the Oxford.....or creep slowly slowly to northchurch and wait.......which would not be good for me...dont like hanging around in places not conducive to my peace of mind thanks

[valrene9600]

Came through marsworth about 12 days ago. The journey was one of low pounds upto Berko. The pound below Rising Sun was very low and Gas locks had just a stream between them. Past Startops all the way to Slapton was dire with BW in attendance filling pounds so low they were un-usable.

Heading for Wales so hope fully the Dee will keep the Lannygolly wet providing i can get there.

PLEASE PLEASE RAIN

[sheriff]

just discovered cherstey lock is out of action on the Thames for repairs till march.....so we are all stuck.......need to find my rain dancers outfit.theres a boat behind me was renamed last year,it was called RAIN MAKER.............ha ha