Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
158. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the trial on lowering water levels in Lough Allen undertaken by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group; if there are legal or statutory impediments to such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3377/20]
View answerThe Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to enhance ongoing co-operation of all State agencies involved with the River Shannon and to add value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.
In October 2016, the Group took a decision to trial the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen, within the existing statutory framework, during the Winter period to help mitigate potential flood risk.
A protocol was finalised between ESB, Waterways Ireland and the OPW to lower the late Autumn and Winter minimum lake levels by approximately 0.7 metres. The first reduction was implemented in October 2016 and the trial has been underway since that time, subject to specified weather conditions.
In 2019, the ESB arranged for an assessment of the impacts of operating the agreed protocol on Lough Allen levels and discharges using 20 years of historical data. This assessment identified certain benefits to managing flood risk arising from the trial.
At its meeting on 31st October 2019, the Group agreed to continue with its implementation, on a temporary basis, in the context of the overall flood risk management plans for the area which includes a flood relief scheme for Carrick-on-Shannon.
