Rainfall and canals - Local lengthsman

Local lengthsman

After, or even during, a period of heavy rain, in days gone by, the local lengthsman would raise this paddle to dump some of the excess water out of the canal into a nearby water course. Now this person, over a period of time would have built up a knowledge of how 'his patch' behaved during periods of heavy rain. It was quite usual for these employees and lock keepers for that matter, to turn out at all hours to tend their 'patch' so to speak.

On the pound in question the position of such a ground paddle is about a 100 yards north of Bridge 86. However, no paddle gear is visible, having been removed at some time in the past? So is this emergency sluice still available under the heavy metal plates on the towpath or has it been removed? If so why?

Modern level monitoring

Some canals have SCADA 'black boxes' monitoring levels, but are staff brought in during rainy spells to monitor the output of these systems 24 hours a day and has CART enough staff left to respond in the case of widespread rainfall as happened recently?

Many stretches have no SCADA. Therefore, as far as I can tell, these pounds have no real time monitoring of water levels other than that provided by boaters and their mobile phones?

Who monitors canal levels?

So the real question is who monitors canal levels 24/7? Waiting until the rain stops and assessing the damage seems to be somewhat inadequate policy when the cost of a breach, we are now told, is in the region of £1.5m.

Now here's a thought: If it took two lengthsmen to cover a 16 mile pound that would cost say 50k in wages per year.

Dividing 50k into 1.5m = 30

So if the lengthsmen prevented just one breach in 30 years they will have paid for themselves ! That's ignoring costs due to disruption etc.
Makes you think?

The photo shows a 'neglected' ground paddle in the hedge bottom on the Trent & Mersey near Stone. Note the lack of grease and lubrication. Would it work if needed? Has it been tested recently?

Not Brindley's fault

I dispute the statement implying the canals were not designed for heavy rain. If that were the case how come they have survived for over 200 years? All the equipment is (was?) there to control water levels in the majority of pounds, installed by the canal builders like James Brindley. It's easy to blame him for the Dutton Breach; after all he is long dead, and not therefore able to sue for libel or defamation!

What is clear though is the canals are not being operated in a manner to survive heavy rainfall. Controlling the rise in water levels in the canals is critical if extensive damage is to be prevented Events over the last few years, I would suggest have proven this point.