Low water levels.

[jenlyn]

Coming down from stoke bruerne this week to cosgrove, the water level was down 8 inches.

The pump at stoke bruerne was running, which I thought was helping to fill the pound.

Upon reaching Cosgrove lock, I noted the pump there was lifting water from the Milton Keynes pound, which was also 8 inches below its normal level.

 

A stroll to the end of the arm beside the lock, brought to my notice, water being pumped from the canal, to the now closed Buckingham canal.

Talking to some of the locals, this has been going on for some time.

 

CRT have been advising to save water, even announcing the problems below stoke bruerne through the stoppages page.

A little further digging, and all seems to be explained by this item

Rewatering is continuing at Cosgrove. Now the harvest is in from the adjacent fields, the level has been allowed to rise in the first and second pound to help identify seepage &/or leaks into the adjacent field.

CRT advice has been sought and they recommend letting it continue to seep as silting and rehydration of the clay will hopefully reduce the small amount of water loss.

The siphons continue to run monitored by Jonathan, Terry and Anthony. We have also been down to clean and adapt some of the drainage pipes to ensure no airlocks occur. Water is now heading towards bridge 2 and the target of A5 for Christmas is on track.

Meanwhile Bourton Meadow end at Buckingham continues to mature with the plants moving towards autumn. Water level has held good, partly helped by the recent rain. We continue to periodically top up from the river to ensure the canal water is oxygenated.

Terry and Anthony visited site to reseat the suction filter for the pump today. [unquote]

So, that water shortage?

From stoke bruerne to Leighton Buzzard suffers from years of not being dredged, and having the water dropped, and managed at its current level is not helping.

Edited September 20, 2015 by jenlyn

[ditchcrawler]

Last week a hire boat got stuck below the Soulbury three, I had problems getting lined up for the lock after dropping Diana off the bow, I still had the stern well out and was chewing mud.