Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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219. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Shannon flood risk state agency co-ordination working group held its last meeting; if he will call an emergency meeting of the working group in view of the impending serious flooding in the Shannon catchment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55988/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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220. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the water levels on Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg were dropped to cater for winter flooding in advance of the significant rainfall experienced over the past number of weeks within the Shannon catchment; the level that each lake was dropped to; the date of the reading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55989/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the maximum volumes of water are being spilled from Parteen weir and through the turbines at Ardnacrusha; when the maximum throughput was achieved at both locations; the volumes involved at each location; if he will confirm that this is being maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55991/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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222. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the most recent date when all of the sluices were opened and boards completely removed at Meelick weir and at the New Cut on the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55993/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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223. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the conclusions drawn from his examination of the legislative landscape and review of the current regulatory environment regarding the management of the River Shannon in line with his commitment to Dáil Éireann on 4 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55994/22]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 to 223, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware that the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in 2016 by the Government to enhance the ongoing co-operation across state agencies involved with the River Shannon.  The Group recently met in Athlone on 20^thOctober 2022.  At that meeting, the Group discussed a range of issues relating to work underway to assist with flood risk management along the River Shannon. 

The ESB, as a member of the Group, has provided the OPW with the following information in relation to its actions regarding the management of water levels on Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg, and the management of water levels at Parteen weir.

The Shannon catchment has experienced high levels of rainfall over the last number of weeks and particularly since late-September.  This has resulted in increasing water levels in the River Shannon and its tributaries.

All lakes were at or below the target levels as set out in the ESB’s regulations and guidelines for control of the River Shannon in advance of the aforementioned rainfall which commenced towards the end of September.

Specifically:

1. Lough Allen was below the normal operating band (48.7 – 49.1 mOD Poolbeg) until 4^thOctober 2022.

2. Lough Ree was below the target level for the end of August (37.49 mOD Poolbeg) until 6^thOctober 2022, with all sluices in Athlone closed (due to rising callows levels) on the 17^thOctober 2022.

3. Lough Derg levels were within the normal operating band until increased inflows greater than station throughput caused it to enter flood on Thursday 3^rdNovember 2022.

The capacity available in the lakes by being at or below target levels has now been used up as a result of the rainfall that has fallen on the Shannon catchment since the end of September.

The rate at which the water travels to Ardnacrusha is primarily a result of the natural topography of the river and the natural restrictions in the river. It takes many days for water to travel down the Shannon. All of the water arriving at Parteen weir is discharged either via Ardnacrusha station or down the old Shannon channel. The ESB does not store any water upstream of Parteen weir in the Parteen Basin.

In a flood situation,  (Lough Derg is currently in flood since last week), the ESB discharges the most amount of water operationally possible through Ardnacrusha station via the Headrace canal away from flood prone areas of the Lower Shannon.

The ESB continues to maximise the discharge of water from Lough Derg via Parteen weir. Discharge at Parteen weir down the old River Shannon Channel as of Wednesday, 9^thNovember is 135 m3/s.  This is combined with discharge from Ardnacrusha Station which is operating at full throughput operationally possible (approximately 368 m3/s currently).

Discharging more water than the current volume would result in lowering water levels in Parteen Basin and the Headrace canal below safe operating limits with the risk of causing stability issues to the Category A Earthen Embankment Dams that form Parteen Basin and the Headrace canal. The ESB can only manage the flow of water as it arrives at Parteen weir from Lough Derg. The water flow from Lough Derg to Parteen Basin is restricted by the flow capacity of the outlet channel from Lough Derg at Killaloe. The capacity restriction acts like a bottleneck limiting the discharge from Lough Derg. The ESB will continue to maximise the discharge of water from Lough Derg within its Dam Safety constraints.

Predicted water levels and expected discharge amounts based on the latest Met Éireann forecast as well as water levels throughout the three lakes and Ardnacrusha discharges are available on the ESB’s website at: Hydrometric Information (esb.ie).

Waterways Ireland, as a member of the Group, has provided the OPW with the following information outlining the position in relation to Meelick weir and the New Cut.

Waterways Ireland has been operating the water level regime on the Shannon in line with the protocol and in conjunction with the ESB.

In the case of the Lower Shannon:

- All sluices are open on Meelick weir (12) and the New Cut (18) at present and have been open since 16th October 2022.

- The tilting gates on Meelick weir are in the down position and have been since 7th October, 2022.

- Sluices on Athlone weir have been closed since 17^thOctober, 2022.

Waterways Ireland has advised that there is no further action that it can take at Meelick.

An analysis of the legislative landscape and the current regulatory environment regarding the management of the River Shannon has been carried out. On the recommendation of the Attorney General, the OPW obtained legal services to support the examination of the legislative powers underpinning the bodies involved with the River Shannon.

The outcome of this legal analysis has informed a proposed approach which is currently with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his consideration.