Kennet and Avon Water Resource: Update from Mark Stephens

Following a dry winter and spring, there is limited water availability on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is therefore important that we all conserve available water resources as best we can for the good of the navigation, the environment and everyone who enjoys our canal.


There are a number of steps that boat users can take; sharing locks and ensuring that paddles and gates are closed as directed being obvious ones.


In order to allow pound levels to recover overnight and not stress the waterway system unnecessarily, it will be necessary after Easter to restrict navigation in the evening and overnight. This restriction will apply to the whole of the waterway between Bath (Lock 7) and a point east of Kintbury (Copse Lock, Lock 80) . Clearly, locking the canal up every night would be a huge undertaking for the staff who work on the canal and would detract from essential maintenance and repair work. I will be requesting that users of the canal observe this restriction, irrespective of whether locks are actually chained shut. If it becomes apparent that this approach is not working, it will be necessary to shorten the navigable day further and padlock as many paddles and gates closed as possible.


As the season progresses it may be necessary to extend the extent and duration of any restrictions. The River Kennet east of Copse Lock will be monitored carefully and action taken if levels are too low to sustain navigation. Similarly, the River Avon which supplies water to the canal between Bath and the summit will continue to be monitored; continued navigation relies entirely on maintaining a water supply from the River Avon.


At present, to the east of the summit, Wilton Water (Crofton) and the associated aquifer is at a sufficient level to supply water to the east side of the canal. Imposing a restriction to navigation on this section of canal will not directly prolong the availability of this resource (ground water level will reduce naturally as the season progresses). However, forthcoming restrictions will give the canal the best opportunity to recover levels overnight and for a freshening flow to be maintained. West of the summit the overnight closures will similarly give the best opportunity for pound levels to recover and create additional capacity for feeding the summit.


Thank you in advance for actively supporting the long term sustainability of the Kennet and Avon Canal.



MARK STEPHENS

WATERWAY MANAGER

Trust Council Minutes February 2012

Click here to read the Trust Council Minutes for February 2012

Mark Stephens comments on water management:

In response to a query raised as to why BW are running water east from Wilton rather than holding onto it, our BW Waterways Manager, Mark Stephens, has commented as follows:

In essence, the underlying reason for the apparent current waste of water is the way in which the east side of the canal is fed by Wilton. Wilton is not a reservoir in the true sense of the word. The quantity of water that Wilton holds is relatively inconsequential and can only support the canal for a matter of days without being depleted. More important is the underlying aquifer that feeds Wilton. Wilton is in effect a collection point for the water that is within the ground. It should be noted that this aquifer is huge and the specific demands of the canal are relatively tiny.

Given the above, while the aquifer is able to support Wilton, there is no reason not to draw off available water to feed the canal. Following the closure of the canal that was lifted in January 2012 we have deliberately been drawing a freshening flow along the canal; while the locks have been closed the completely static body of water within the pounds isn’t ideal from an ecological perspective. The aquifer continues to fill (at least for the time being). The quantity of water that the canal consumes is negligible.

You note that Wilton is as full as it can be (or has been within memory) and I agree. You also note that we have various duties to maintain a flow in adjacent watercourses that are, at present, desperately low; the Kennet is at summer flow levels. Additionally, we are letting water off the canal upstream of Hungerford to prevent flooding our lock works on the march. I will be planning to retain more of this water further down the canal when the Hungerford works are complete later this week.


I hope that the above answers your queries; the apparent waste of water from Wilton is a valid concern and I need to make it clearer to as many people as possible as to why our management of available water doesn’t appear to make sense. I have briefed the Trade Association and will aim to spread this message further this week.

Mark Stephens, Waterway Manager, says of the Sunday Times Article;

‘Although generally a good article that made clear the current and forecast water shortages, specifically in the River Kennet, the statement implying that the Kennet and Avon canal will definitely be closed for the summer was disappointing and misleading. Every effort is being made to maintain navigable levels in the canal, including extensive leak-reduction works that are currently on-going. The west end of the canal (from Bristol to the summit pound) should prove to be more resilient to a water shortage; further pumps have been replaced this winter and works have been undertaken to allow replacement hire pumps to be deployed, off the shelf, in less than 24 hours. Clearly the canal is and always will depend on a usable base-flow in the River Avon but we are well positioned to take advantage of available water. The Kennet end of the canal will prove harder to maintain and is dependent on a groundwater supply that is at a very low level. However, with everyone around the canal appreciating the importance of conserving water, we fully intend to sustain the canal environment for the enjoyment of our visitors and to safeguard the important habitats that it supports’.

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust seeks a catering partner for its Devizes Cafe

The K&A Canal Trust, which is responsible for a wide range of activities aimed at protecting, enhancing and promoting the Canal, is seeking a partner organisation to run its well-situated canal-side cafe at Devizes Wharf. The Trust has its Headquarters in an historic ex-canal warehouse where it also operates an award-winning museum. Alongside this, its volunteers run a licensed public trip boat, and the Trust also houses the very active Devizes Canoe Club.

Having now secured a 10-year lease on this important building, the Trust wishes to extend the range and availability of the services provided by re-opening its Wharfside café through a partnership arrangement with professional caterers who will share the Trust's passion and interests in the Canal. This model is already in use in Bradford on Avon, Newbury and Aldermaston.

The Trust’s cafes are run by its operating company, K&A Canal Trust Enterprise Ltd, and further details can be obtained from the Trust Administrator, Jean Cook,
on: 01380 721279 or email: katrustadministrator@btconnect.com

Barbara McLellan Spring Trips

Trust Council Minutes January 2012

Click here to read the Trust Council Minutes January 2012