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Enter a key word to search for posts:Rain stops play!
Posted on: Tuesday October 1, 2019 at: 1:56 pm
Well, this is a first. As I mentioned recently, we are currently on the River Weaver. We have been on this river several times and I have always considered it relatively benign. Just goes to show, never take anything for granted, because we are currently stuck here:
You will be aware of the recent heavy rain. Because of it, we have been laid up here since Sunday when they closed the river to navigation. Had we been a little bit earlier we could have got through, but now we are stuck here, below Dutton locks. Rats!
Barge pole keeps us away from the bank – hopefully!
The problem is compounded because not only is the flow too dangerous for navigation, we are also having to deal with the level going up and down. If the level comes up too much, we could potentially be washed onto the bank, so have had to take measures to try and avoid that.
Water has been rising above the edge of the bank
Although the Weaver is not tidal as such, it empties into the Manchester Ship Canal, which in turn empties into the River Mersey. The reason for the level going up and down so much is that we are apparently on an Equinox tide. That seems to be particularly high, which means they have to close the sluices between the Ship Canal and the Mersey to stop the Mersey flowing into the Ship Canal. This is turn means there is nowhere for the water in the Ship Canal to go, which then backs up onto the Weaver, hence we get, in effect, a high tide. Who knew?
Fortunately, we are moored up next to a water point, have plenty of fuel and are expecting a delivery from Tesco tomorrow – one of the conveniences of modern life.
Hang on in there guys!