ESB reduces dam water levels to protect city
It is the first change in the company’s dam management procedures since last November’s flood disaster caused an estimated €150 million worth of damage in Cork city.
The ESB released millions of tonnes of water from the dams on November 19 last.
In the face of fierce criticism over the last year, it has consistently defended its role that night, and the flood warnings it issued to the authorities.
But as flood victims prepare mark the first anniversary of the catastrophe tomorrow, the power company has confirmed that it has reduced by half a metre (50cm) the winter spill levels – the levels at which it must discharge water – at both the Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid dams.
“These measures will have some beneficial effect, the extent of this depending on the size of the flood,” a company spokesman said.
“The benefit would be marginal for larger floods but could be more significant for smaller more frequent floods. These measures should not be seen in isolation as a solution to the downstream flooding problems as the key issue is to complete the downstream works to enable ESB to discharge more in advance of heavy rain.”
Barry Keane, who has been campaigning for flood victims for the last year, welcomed the move.
“It’s 50cm in the right direction. But the levels need to go lower in extreme weather conditions.”
Fine Gael Cllr Dara Murphy, who was Lord Mayor during the civic emergency sparked by the flood, also welcomed the move. “The ESB now needs to bring this new operational change to the attention of insurance companies and An Bórd Pleanála.
“They need to have that comfort given to them directly, and be shown the technical data that supports what the ESB is saying.”
The new levels have been introduced in recent days following a request from the Office of Public Works for the company to consider interim flood mitigation measures pending the completion of downstream works, which are the subject of a review of the Lee catchment flood risk assessment and management study.
The study said other changes in the dam management will only have significant benefits in terms of reducing flood risk if they are undertaken with these downstream works.
“Following completion of downstream works, ESB would be in a position to change operating procedures to allow increased discharges from Inniscarra, improving our ability to lower reservoir levels in advance of heavy rain,” the spokesman said.
However, changes will be needed to the 1940s statutory framework governing how the ESB operates, he said. Just how the reduced spill levels effect the operation of the dams, and whether or not the new levels will have the desired effect, will be monitored over the coming months.
Meanwhile, residents whose homes were destroyed in the flood will gather at Grenville Place near the Mercy University Hospital tomorrow morning where repairs have yet to begin on a flood-breached quay wall.
A TOWN ravaged by floods last year will launch a national lobby group this weekend to help other at-risk communities.
The Skibbereen Floods Committee in west Cork will host a one-day conference in the town on Saturday during which the Irish National Flood Forum will be launched. It aims to:
* Advise and support communities and individuals in flood risk zones.
* Raise awareness of the plight of flood victims.
* Encourage the establishments of community led groups to reduce flood risk.
* Encourage a multi-agency approach between those that flood and those that manage flood risk.
* Organise “flood fairs” to provide public information and advice.
* Work with community led groups in England, Scotland and Europe and form a single voice for flood-risk communities.
The conference, at the West Cork Hotel, will be addressed by Minister Martin Mansergh, the minister with responsibility for flood protection, and by experts in flood management, hydrology, mental health, and insurance.
The event is free.
* www.irishnationalfloodforum.com
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