Back to square one for Courtown dredging due to heavy rain
BACK TO SQUARE ONE FOR DREDGING AS HEAVY RAIN NEARLY CAUSES FLOODING
IT’S BACK to square one for the draining and dredging of Courtown Harbour after heavy rain nearly caused widespread flooding in the area.
The pumping of water from the Harbour out to sea had finally begun last week after the contractor blocked off the three existing inflows. But severe rainfall has undone their work, and the level of water in the harbour is the highest it has been in years.
The contractor called off the work on Sunday, but returned yesterday (Monday) morning at 7 a.m., with two extra pumps to carry out the work needed to complete the harbour by the end of February.
Cllr Robbie Ireton said thankfully there is an over-flow in the Harbour for the water to go out to sea, as he has ‘never seen the level of the water in the harbour that high before’ and it could have caused some severe flooding.
‘There was a massive flow coming in from Branogue river after the rain, which runs through Riverchapel,’ said Cllr Ireton. ‘This can’t be blocked as it will cause flooding.’
Cllr Ireton said there is no point in pumping when rain fills the harbour like that. ‘I feel sorry for the contractor as he is trying so hard to get it done,’ added Cllr Ireton.
The two rivers, the Ounavarra and the Aughboy, are being diverted, while the main entrance to the harbour is being dammed half way up the channel.
The contractor for the work revisited his plan in December, after heavy rain cleared the previous dams in November. Sand is now placed in large white containers to prevent it from being washed away by rain again.
It was announced three years ago that Courtown Harbour would be drained and dredged and it’s four decades since it was last completely drained of water. The delays of the project have long been a source of frustration for harbour users.
Last week, the contractor began reducing the level of water in the harbour by pumping it out to sea before dredging it. The harbour walls will be repaired and re-pointed, which will take about two to three weeks.
At last week’s Gorey Municipal District meeting, Environmental Engineer George Colfer said the harbour should be reopened at the end of February.
Officials from Inland Fisheries had to spring back into action last week to rescue fish from Courtown harbour and the Ounavarra river in advance of works. The rock armour covering a large part of Courtown beach is only temporary and will be moved back on completion of dredging works.