IRELAND, renowned for its damp weather and lush countryside, has struggled in the recent heatwaves that have swept across the northern hemisphere. The first marine notices warning of low water levels were issued as early as March this year and with no major rainfall forecast for the foreseeable future boaters have and continue to be faced with many restrictions. Alison Alderton reports…
The River Liffey pumps, which lift water from the river up to the summit level of the Grand Canal, failed early in the season, significantly affecting the water levels between Lock 19 (Lowtown) and Lock 21 (Ballycommon). This was exacerbated with a leak in the canal near Lock 29. Even after repairs had been initiated, due to the drought-like conditions, refilling the pound was a slow process which resulted in delays for boaters already on the move and for those wishing to set out on a journey advice to contact their local waterways patroller prior to travel.
By July, water levels on the mighty River Shannon had dipped below ordinary summer levels and some infrastructure had succumbed to the heat of the sun. Portumna Swing Bridge witnessed a temporary closure when Waterways Ireland (WI) issued Marine Notice No. 73 of 2025 informing masters of vessels that due to the exceptionally hot weather, thermal expansion and contraction had affected the bridge’s ability to open and close correctly. The marine notice also stated that it is anticipated that with the return of cooler conditions, normal bridge operations will resume.
Blue green algae, which has blighted Lough Neagh over recent years, has now been found in Lough Erne and in isolated areas of the Shannon. This is likely to become more prevalent as the warmer weather continues and brings with it health and safety risks to both humans and animals. WI issued a cautionary warning over all navigations detailing the risks and offering advice to all waterway users as well as contacts to which algae sightings can be reported.
On the Royal Canal, the summit level has been particularly hard hit by low levels and limited water availability to feed the pounds which has resulted in the popular dry dock facility at Mullingar having to close. As on the Grand Canal, boaters wishing to journey on the Royal Canal are advised to contact their local waterways patroller prior to travel for the latest update on levels.
In more recent days, Lough Beg and the canal sections of the Lower Bann are the latest areas to be named in marine notices as suffering from low water and weed growth.
Weed growth is rife on all waterways but some sections of the canals are virtually unnavigable. In conversation with Towpath Talk reporter Alison Alderton, a spokesperson from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) Nav-Watch team said. “This spring/summer was a perfect storm: pump breakdowns caused low water levels on the Grand, an extended heatwave caused weed to explode throughout the canals, a hosepipe ban at the summit of the Royal resulted in a cut from the main feeder at Lough Owel, together with a series of broken-down weed cutters on the Royal and Grand canals. Global warming is having a real effect; it’s suiting the weed which can rapidly fill these slow-moving waterways.
“The existing regime of weed cutting and harvesting was already struggling to keep control. Funding for maintenance needs to be increased to a level which allows Waterways Ireland to deal effectively with the problem, only by doing so will the canals be able to flourish. A national housing crisis has drawn a new generation of liveaboards to the canals, there are more boats on our canals than ever before. Cruising, tourism and liveaboard boats alike all need to be able to travel freely on the canals. The growth potential and interest are there but being stifled by the ever-present invasive weed problem.”
As climate change becomes increasingly prominent it is clear that those wishing to continue enjoying the waterways will need to adapt and the custodians of them need to create concrete contingency plans for the future.
