WITH HEAT WAVE AFTER HEAT WAVE and little rainfall in between, the Canal & River Trust is struggling to keep its waterways open.
But it is doing it best under such circumstances, and boaters really should do their best to help, for after all, it is for their benefit.
The navigations so affected over the past few days. as Keith Gudgin reminds us are:
Huddersfield Narrow Canal
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal that is closed from Lock 7W to Lock 21W.
The very many short pounds on this waterway as it tackles the Pennines, all to often suffers shortage of water and so is closed to navigation,
Kennet & Avon Canal
On this waterway it is the summit pound that often suffers lack of water, due to the pumping capacity of supplying the Crofton Flight.
And this time the low water stretches from Cadley Lock 54 to Crofton Top Lock 55, with the summit pound very low.
Ribble Link
The Ribble Link, connecting the system with the Lancaster Canal is closed to navigation due to low water levels.
It will not be until the 23rd July that it will be subjected to a review. The stoppage is from the Top Lock 1 to the Tidal Stop Gate. Perhaps this relates to the low water level on the Lancaster Canal, that is shown on the site.
Erewash Canal
This former closure on the Erewash Canal has now been extended down to Lock 61, meaning it is closed through low water from Lock 63 to Lock 72.
But it gets worse with the latest stoppage though lack of water now from 61 to 72, with boaters told not to attempt to navigate these pounds under any circumstances.
Helping
Boaters cruising other waterways should make an effort to take care of the water. You all know how, having been told often enough!