#loughree – Any threat to the water levels on Lough Ree would mean disruption to the navigation in a number of places say the Irish Marine Federation (IMF) in its latest newsletter in response to farming demands for lower water levels to prevent flooding.
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has sought water level reduction on Lough Ree by 600mm the Athlone Callows region say the IMF but such a move would make the inner lakes no longer navigable.
The Farming body is also demanding a single authority rather than shared responsibility of ESB and Waterways Ireland be put in place to decide on when the levels should be reduced.
According to the IMF over the past 50 years a number of detailed studies have been produced by hydrologists and they have all come to the same conclusion that the Shannon flooding is not a manageable occurrence rather it is due entirely to the nature of the river.
The IMF claim say water level lowering would also cause disruption in the navigation to the south of Athlone.
The IMF has prepared a paper on the economic consequences of this action and plan to meet with the Minister responsible, Mr. Brian Hayes T.D. together with the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.
