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The current dry spell has contributed to unusually low levels of water in Newry Canal. At present the side walls of the canal are visible for what appears to be around a metre more than is usual at this time of year. There also is a leekage of water presently from the Lock Gate at Victoria Lock into Carlingford Lough and this together with usual evaporation is contributing to the issue.
A number of sources including Camlough Lake feed water to the canal and currently Newry, Mourne and Down District Council staff are currently increasing the supply from the lake but as they explained to Newry.ie there is a limit to the water that can be taken from Camlough.
A Council spokesperson said “Newry Canal is experiencing low water levels due to the prolonged dry period of weather currently being experienced. The Canal relies on being fed from a number of sources including Camlough lake and whilst there is still a feed of water into the Canal this is not sufficient to balance the loss of water arising from evaporation and loss of water into Carlingford Lough.
It is possible to increase the supply of a water into the Canal from Camlough Lake and the Council is currently doing this, but there is a limit to the amount of water which can be drawn from Camlough lake."
The spokesperson recalled a similar scenario during the summer of 2018 and at that time it was only when rainfall levels increased to usual levels that the canal returned to normal.
They added "A similar situation arose in the summer of 2018 and whilst taking additional water from Camlough lake was beneficial at this time, it was not until rainfall levels resumed to their normal levels that it was possible to bring the Canal back to normal levels.”
There would also be a risk that the side walls of the canal when dry would crumble much easier causing damage to the structure. Currently the canal is so low in places that herons are able to stand up in it. The assembly for the opening turntable bridge at the top of Monaghan Street is also exposed.
