WATERWAYS IRELAND PROPOSES NEW NAVIGATION FOR RIVER SHANNON

New Navigation Proposal

As part of its ongoing programme to develop the Shannon Navigation, Waterways Ireland proposes to extend the navigable channel from Lough Allen, where it currently ends, to Annagh Upper. Annagh Upper, is located in County Leitrim approximately 3.5 km from Lough Allen and is less than 2 km downstream from Dowra village. This proposal forms part of the National Development Plan.

There are currently only two public mooring facilities available to boat users on Lough Allen, Spencer Harbour on the western shore and the new moorings and amenity area on the eastern shore at Cleighran More. The site at Annagh Upper will constitute a third facility on Lough Allen and will provide another destination for tourists exploring the Upper Shannon. It will also provide a safe haven in the event of a storm on the Lough. The proposal not only provides additional facilities for users of the navigation but a leisure amenity area for the general public and the local community. It will also make it possible to cruise from Dowra to Limerick on the River Shannon and to Belleek via the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Erne System.

Proposed Works

In order to create a navigable channel from Lough Allen it will be necessary for Waterways Ireland to conduct dredging operations at a number of locations. In the lower reaches of the river, dredging will mainly involve removing deposited and compacted silt from the point where the river enters Lough Allen and from a number of isolated stretches along the river. In the stretch immediately downstream of Annagh Upper, bedrock is present and will have to be removed to provide navigable depth for boat traffic. A weir is to be constructed from this bedrock across the river to the same height as the existing rock shelf, in order to retain existing water levels upstream of the new moorings.

The works also include creating a 'lay-by' to accommodate a 16 berth public marina consisting of floating walkways and finger jetties. An access ramp to the moorings specially adapted for disabled users of the navigation will be provided. In addition to the provision of water and sensitive lighting on the moorings, the area is to be landscaped and provided with a car park, public footpaths and seating.

The floating jetty configuration, as opposed to a fixed arrangement, will maintain a consistent freeboard between the water level and the deck of the jetty, allowing easy access for boat users using the navigation, regardless of water level. This arrangement for the moorings not only maintains the full width of the river for navigation but also provides shelter and room to maneuver for boats using the facility.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Boats travelling from Lough Allen to Annagh Upper will pass through a proposed Natural Heritage Area at Kilgarriff Marsh. Waterways Ireland commissioned a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed development. This study was carried out to identify and describe the areas of river and lake which are of value for nature conservation, indicate those areas where that value may be compromised by the proposals to deepen the river channel and, if appropriate, propose mitigation measures to protect areas and species of interest.

It included an examination of key flora and habitats in the area, bird and mammal surveys, and water quality, aquatic flora and macroinvertebrate studies. Special emphasis was placed on evaluating the effect of the proposed development on vulnerable species including: wintering Greenland whitefronted geese, breeding birds; freshwater crayfish and lamprey; otter; and 2 protected species of flora: a rare species of orchid called Irish lady's tresses and mudwort. A detailed study evaluating the status of fish stocks on the River Shannon between Lough Allen and Annagh Upper and the impact of creating a navigation channel on fish communities was also conducted.

To complement the ecological studies, a detailed hydrological assessment involving hydrological modeling was undertaken to determine if dredging will alter the hydrological regime of the area and impact on the habitats within the proposed Natural Heritage Area. This study also assessed the potential impacts of boat traffic on the river channel.

In addition to examining natural heritage, the potential impacts of the project on archaeological heritage have been investigated. An underwater archaeological impact assessment in the form of a geophysical survey was carried out in sections of Lough Allen and within the 3.5 km stretch of the River Shannon from Lough Allen to Dowra.

Finally, as part of a waste management strategy for the proposal, sediments within Lough Allen and the River Shannon were sampled and analysed to determine potential risks to the receiving environment of the watercourse during dredging and the best options for ultimate disposal. Disposal options examined by Waterways Ireland included the creation of bird habitat, reuse for bank stabilisation and erosion control, reuse as a soil enhancement, and disposal at permitted waste sites. Given the potential for dredged material to be used for agricultural, horticultural and amenity purposes, Waterways Ireland intends to land spread this material across the site of the proposed harbour and amenity area. The site will then be landscaped.

The results of all of these studies are being combined into an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. In summary, the studies indicate that the hydrology of sensitive habitats will not be adversely impacted by the proposal. Much of the ecological interest of the area is located at some distance from the river channel and will not be impacted. Appropriate mitigation measures will be put in place during construction and operation of the navigation, to protect river bank habitats and sensitive fauna. Waterways Ireland intends to submit this Statement with final design plans for the development, to Leitrim County Council in the near future with a view to obtaining planning permission.

If any member of the public wishes to obtain further information or to comment on any aspect of this proposal they should contact Waterways Ireland. Full contact details are outlined below:

John Longworth
Waterways Ireland Northern Regional Office
Carrick on Shannon
Tel: 071 9650787

Waterways Ireland is one of the All Ireland Implementation Bodies established under the 1999 British-Irish Agreement Act. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the Island of Ireland, principally for recreational purposes.

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Further information from:

Mr Éanna Rowe, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland
00 353 71 9650787

Date: 30.08.2006
PR060026

For a map of Lough Allen and the site location, click here

For a drawing of the proposed moorings and amenity area, click here