AS large swathes of England and all of Wales were declared in drought following weeks of exceptionally dry weather, the Canal & River Trust activated its highest level of operational response to keep boaters moving as much as possible.
THE combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures has seen reservoir levels, river levels and canal feeders reduce, and temporary restrictions or closures brought in to manage canal water levels.
The trust said it is now focusing investment and operational activity on retaining water and supporting navigation on key through-routes, waterways with high levels of boat traffic, locations that support boating businesses, and routes with important water transfer obligations.
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This includes prioritising the repair of lock gates and paddles, identifying and fixing leaks, improving feeder channels, and accelerating other projects that help save water and strengthen the resilience of the network. As a result, some planned work in other areas will be paused while resources are concentrated on the most urgent priorities.
The current conditions – which saw the Met Office issue rare red weather warnings for extreme heat – reflect a wider challenge facing waterways around the country, the trust said, with drought status declared in three of the last five years. As Water Minister Emma Hardy recently noted, “our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal.”
CRT chief executive Campbell Robb said: “We are having to pause some maintenance and repairs and are prioritising the work and resources needed to help retain water and support navigation. Please rest assured that we all want the same thing: a thriving, navigable network. These changes will help us protect the routes that are most important for boating, support boating businesses and strengthen the resilience of the network for the future.”
Where restrictions or closures prevent boaters without a home mooring from moving in the usual way, the trust has pledged to take this into account when reviewing boat movements; there is no need to make contact about this, but boaters with disabilities or other access needs are asked to get in touch to see what support might be available.
It is urging people to sign up to restrictions notifications via the notices section on its website, where a map of affected areas can also be found. Boaters are also being asked to report unusually low water levels.
On the issue of closures, Fund Britains Waterways said: “Closure of one part of the system can have far-reaching effects elsewhere. Delays in repairs and maintenance create a domino effect, as other waterways become unreachable or unnavigable. The current drought, and closures due to lack of maintenance and repairs, make this a worrying time for businesses which depend upon the waterways.”
Ed Helps, chair of British Marine Inland, added: “Hire boat companies and other waterways businesses are concerned about both the funding of the CRT and the changing environment making water a resource that needs managing. We are in constant contact with the trust to understand how best to conserve the available water to ensure holidaymakers can still have an enjoyable time on the canal routes that are available. Hire company and marina operators are able to offer their customers best advice on their local canals.
“Although the current exceptional circumstances are looking more likely to become the norm, we support Fund British Waterways because the mending of leaks and better maintaining the waterways will be more critical for the future to conserve the available water supply.”
Agencies are also reporting rising incidents of fish deaths, algal blooms and deteriorating water quality. In Cambridgeshire, water from the River Nene was diverted to fight a wildfire, further reducing levels feeding nearby waterways. As reported in last month’s issue, a fast-moving wildfire broke out on August 12 at Nether Heyford, in fields bordering the Grand Union Canal, forcing boaters to abandon their vessels and flee through thick smoke along the towpath.
With little significant rainfall forecast, authorities warn that further restrictions are likely in the weeks ahead.
Forecast warns conditions could persist
WHILE Scotland’s canals are less directly affected due to large loch-fed systems, river scarcity is worsening across the east. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency reports several catchments at “significant scarcity,” the highest alert level. Shona McConnell, SEPA’s head of compliance, warned: “Many rivers, particularly across eastern Scotland, continue to experience the impacts of prolonged dry weather, with some recording exceptionally low flows for the time of year.”
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales declared drought across the whole country, with July rainfall at just 8% of the long-term average. Low river flows are affecting abstractions that feed the Monmouthshire & Brecon and Llangollen canals, the latter reliant on the River Dee, itself under pressure. And Ireland’s waterways – including the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Shannon–Erne Waterway – are experiencing reduced river flows and falling groundwater levels. While large lake-fed systems offer resilience, Waterways Ireland has warned that prolonged dry spells may force depth management and lock-operation restrictions if conditions worsen.
Met Office guidance shows continued below-average rainfall, lingering soil moisture deficits and only brief unsettled spells for September
