This morning at 09:59 the following notice dropped into our inbox from C&RT, not much notice of the start of works!
Aire & Calder Navigation Main Line
Location: Low water levels at Goole
Starts At: New Goole Caisson
Ends At: New Goole Caisson
Monday 4 October 2021 10:00 until Wednesday 6 October 2021 09:00
Type: Advice
Reason: Information
Original message:
British Ports are undertaking emergency repair works to their lock gates.
We will have a reduced water level of 300mm for today and potentially tomorrow as the levels need to be dropped to allow the repair works to be carried out.
You can view this notice and its map online here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/20747/low-water-levels-at-goole
Last year there were rumours that the lock gates out onto the River Ouse leaked quite badly, which didn’t help retain levels in the docks when the Caisson was closed. Well they leaked too until stop planks were put in behind them.
Presumably the stop planks have been dropped back in as the caisson gates open the wrong way to maintain levels upstream on the canal, or has the whole pound back to Pollington and Sykehouse Locks been dropped?
I’m hoping that people living on their boats in the marinas at Goole have had prior warning as the levels dropping by 300mm might feel a little bit like deja vu!
Updated Update
Update on 04/10/2021 at 15:30:
Associated British Ports have advised us that they have completed the emergency repair works and water levels are returning to normal.
Further works will be required in the future and we will advise of these works when we have more information.