Annual Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2007

Chapter 3
Managing and Maintaining the Waterways
Shannon-Erne Waterway
The Shannon-Erne Waterway links the two great inland navigations of its name creating
the connection from Leitrim Village to a point close to Belturbet, Co Cavan.
It has 63km of navigational channel with 16 locks.
Maintenance projects in 2007 included the completion of enhancement works to
existing recreational amenity areas at Lock 2, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan and Lock 4, Aghoo,
Co Leitrim. This work has upgraded the existing facilities to a high standard. Repairs to
the fish pass at Lock 7, Ballyduff, Co Leitrim were required to stop leakage. Grouting and
concreting of the fish pass was completed successfully.
Hedge cutting and tree pruning was completed along various sections of the navigation
channel to improve and maintain sight lines. Maintenance works were completed on
navigation markers on the River Erne at Belturbet, Co Cavan, improving the definition
of the navigation channel. The programme of boundary fencing replacement continued
during the year and a surface dressing programme for access lanes was also completed.
3.1.2 Western Region
The Western Region comprises the Shannon Navigation from Lough Allen through
Lough Ree and Lough Derg, to the estuary at Sarsfield Lock in Limerick, extending a
linear distance of 215km with 11 locks. The Western Region has a function in managing
water levels on the Shannon Navigation and this has become more critical given climatic
changes and the increase in the size of vessels using the navigation.
Waterways Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2007
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