Waterways Ireland advises all recreational users of the Erne System and Lower Bann Navigation that blue-green algae is present in a number of locations on these inland waterways.

Blue-green algae blooms can be toxic to humans and potentially lethal to animals under certain conditions. A number of serious incidents involving blue-green algae have been reported in Northern Ireland in recent week.

Waterways Ireland calls on all users of these waterways whether on or adjacent the water — and especially pet owners — to comply with any notices placed by their local authority and avoid contact or immersive activities in areas where blue-green algae is present.

Waterways Ireland’s jetties and slipways remain open, but the public is advised to refrain from immersive activities including swimming and not to allow pets to drink from or swim in affected areas.

The surface of slipways can become slippery due to algae build up, and Waterways Ireland advises additional caution when using slipway facilities in affected areas.

In addition, the public is encouraged to report encounters with blue-green algae blooms on the inland waterways via any of the following means:

• Their local authority’s environmental health section
• The Bloomin’ Algae App which is free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• The NIEA incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or email [email protected]

Waterways Ireland advises of a number of temporary closures and scheduled works across the inland waterways in the coming days.

On the Grand Canal, masters of vessels should note that there will be no boat passages permitted on the Nass Branch (NCB2) for six weeks from Monday 14 February to facilitate breast gate replacement and associated works.

On the Shannon Navigation, Athlone Lock will be closed to boat traffic from Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 February to allow for the relocation hydraulic and electrical services as part of recent flood relief works.

Further north, essential dredging works will see the closure of Portna Canal on the Lower Bann Navigation to boat traffic from Monday 14 to Monday 21 February.

And in Dublin, masters and users of the Royal Canal should note essential tree works taking place between the 12th Lock and Granard Bridge (Castleknock Road) from Monday 14 February.

These works are expected to last for 10 working days which may not be consecutive, weather and staff resources allowing. Vessel owners moored on the north band are asked to cooperate with the tree works contractor to access the bank area for tree removal.

While closure of the towpath is not foreseen, towpath users are asked to be mindful of the works ongoing.

Following the recent reopening of inland waterways in the Republic, Waterways Ireland has given an update for all masters of vessels and water users on the Erne System, the Shannon-Erne Waterway (within Northern Ireland) and the Lower Bann Navigation.

In line with guidance provided by the Northern Ireland Executive, from this coming Monday 10 May all service blocks will reopen on these navigations.

On the Erne System and the portion of the Shannon-Erne within Northern Ireland,, pump-out facilities are available and local area access to jetties and moorings will be available in according with NI Executive guidance. All locks will also reopen on the Shannon-Erne.

On the Lower Bann, service blocks will reopen on Wednesday 12 May, with local area access to jetties and moorings as previously noted.

Portna, Movanagher and Cutts locks will also reopen on Wednesday. However, Toome Lock remains out of operation until Friday 28 May for works, and Carnroe Lock is closed until further notes pending ongoing engineering investigations.

Waterways Ireland reminds users when on jetties to be aware of others; wait or move aside to allow others to pass at a safe distance.

“We will continually review such measures in light of direction and advice from Government and health professionals,” the cross-border body adds.