Startling pictures show how Welsh canal has dried up this summer

Wales Online

5 days ago

Startling pictures show how Welsh canal has dried up this summer
It comes after a drought was declared in the area on Thursday
The Crumlin arm of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Fourteen Locks in Rogerstone, Newport, is completely dry
(Image: John Myers)
Startling pictures have emerged this week from the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Newport where water levels have become so low that it's almost non-existent.
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At Fourteen Locks in Rogerstone an extremely dry summer has caused the canal to dry up in parts of the more isolated sections of the canal in a disaster for the waterway but those in charge of the main canal say it is not as a result of well-documented water abstraction issues.
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It comes after a drought was declared in four parts of Wales for the first time in 50 years including in parts of mid, south, and southeast Wales fed by the River Usk and the River Wye.
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Earlier this year operators warned the main canal, which runs from Brecon to Cwmbran, would run dry in days after limits were placed on taking water from the environmentally-sensitive River Usk.
There is little more than a trickle of water through the lock at Fourteen Locks in Rogerstone, Newport
(Image: John Myers)
In response the Canal and River Trust (CRT) has begun paying Welsh Water for water for the canal in a temporary measure while the Welsh Government has pledged £5m in funding to ensure a healthy water supply to the canal in the long term.
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Images which have emerged this week of particularly low water levels at the Mon and Brec are in Two Locks in south Cwmbran, where residents say they're having to help the geese survive by feeding them water, and Fourteen Locks in Rogerstone.
Neither of those locks are part of the main navigable canal which is overseen by CRT. These parts of the canal are operated by the individual local authorities and are fed by local streams and gullies. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here .
There are extremely low water levels, so much so our photographer is standing on the canal bed to take these photos
(Image: John Myers)
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Paul Thomas, regional secretary for the area for the Inland Waterways Association, said of the particularly dry sections of the canal at the moment: 'There are several things going on for the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and in some local conversation they've been conflated a little bit.
'One is the water shortage between Brecon and Cwmbran on the main canal. Despite the issues with the water abstraction licences that main section of the canal is currently doing okay because CRT is currently purchasing water from Welsh Water for it.
'In the local press this week there have been images of some geese being fed by residents and that is actually happening in Two Locks in Cwmbran, which is in a non-navigable part of the canal.
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'That part of the canal is isolated from the main canal and there is no chance of water running from the main canal down to Two Locks. The two aren't connected.
"That part of the canal relies on local streams and gullies and so on. Because it's been so dry the water level there is also dry and that's why the local residents are looking after the geese.
'At Fourteen Locks, which is on the Crumlin arm of the canal, the water for that part of the canal comes down from Cwmcarn in Caerphilly borough and it's essentially a very limited water source and has been for many decades.
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"It's basically gone dry because of the dry weather. Generally with typical Welsh weather the water level isn't too bad but yes this year it's been awful because we've not had a lot of rain at all."
Images from Fourteen Locks show how quickly a canal can be affected by drought conditions
(Image: John Myers)
Paul said images of the completely dry canal at Fourteen Locks are worrying. 'It is certainly a valid issue to discuss because it's obviously having a significant impact on the wildlife around Fourteen Locks and Two Locks in particular where there is a lot of wildlife," he said.
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'It's come at a time when in England CRT yesterday sent a letter to all boaters warning there will be inevitable water shortages. It is all down to the dry weather.'
Currently the main Mon and Brecon Canal isn't affected by the current dry weather due to the ongoing temporary agreement between CRT and Welsh Water but if the current dry weather continues there are some concerns CRT might not be able to obtain enough water from Welsh Water in future.
'What you can see in Cwmbran and Newport at the moment shows how quickly things can change for canals,' Paul added. 'They can become dry quite quickly.'
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A spokesman for CRT said: 'The temporary arrangement that our charity has put in place, but which requires a long-term solution, has been sufficient to keep the northern end of the canal in water as normal. This should not have created any impact on the Torfaen and Newport sections.'
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: "Over the past few years Caerphilly council has invested over half a million pounds in desilting known problem areas along the canal to improve water conveyance. In addition we have installed gabion baskets to help control silt and debris ensuring the canal channel remains clear and water levels are maintained.
"To further support water retention we have installed boards at both the Pontywaun overflow and at the Dragons' Teeth and Medart Place locations. These measures are specifically designed to help maintain water levels during drier periods.
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"The canal feed was reinstated in early March in line with our usual seasonal operations. However as with any open water system prolonged dry weather and increased evaporation can significantly reduce water availability which is likely contributing to the current low levels."
In parts of the canal at Fourteen Locks there is no water at all
(Image: John Myers)
A spokesman for Newport council said Fourteen Locks 'has experienced decreased water levels this season mainly as a result of the driest spring on record in the UK for almost a century, which has impacted on water flow and water levels right along the canal'.
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The council says it is using the summer to carry out renovations on the section including the removal of concrete sets on the water's edge and adding aquatic and marginal plants to the banks to help increase biodiversity.
After a drought was declared in parts of Wales including southeast Wales on Thursday Rhian Thomas from Natural Resources Wales said: "After such an exceptionally dry start to the year it is going to take considerable time for rivers, ground waters, and soils to recover – even if we start to see some rain in the forecast.
"While linking climate change with specific individual extreme weather events can be difficult scientists say that climate change is generally making heatwaves hotter, longer, and more frequent."
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