Kerry council plan to tackle flooding around world-famous lakes

PLANS are to be drawn up to deal with future flooding in a low-lying part of Kerry.

A detailed flood impact study is being carried out by Killarney Town Council on the two main rivers in the area, the Flesk and the Deenagh, which flow into the world-famous lakes.

Based on data collected in the study, the council will review its one-in-a-100-year flood map and vary its town development plan accordingly. There also have been calls for the removal of trees and a small island in the flood-prone river Flesk.

Town manager John Breen said officials would come back to the council when the study had been completed and necessary adjustments would be made.

Labour councillor Sean Counihan supported calls for a national body which would be responsible for flooding. Last month, the area around the Killarney picture postcard landmark, Ross Castle, was flooded to levels not seen in at least 60 years and the castle was inaccessible for several days.

Water levels in Lough Lein were exceptionally high, causing damage at Killarney golf club. The damage will not affect the staging of the 2010 Irish Open Golf Championship in Killarney next summer.

Rowing clubs are also counting the cost of damage to their lakeshore boat houses. Flooding around Muckross Rowing Club boat house reached record levels, according to the club.

Fossa RC has been left with a bill estimated at €30,000 in the wake of damage to several boats and a container used for storage.

The container, which had been used for 20 years, was completely destroyed. Also wrecked were two boats, an inflatable safety boat. The Fossa safety boat was bought last year for €2,600 and it will cost around €25,000 to replace the two sliding boats.