Nene Floods 4

According to the Environment Agency monitoring station at Lilford (just upstream from Oundle Marina), the river reached its highest point on the evening of Sunday 25th November. These photos were taken on the morning of 26th November and show the water covering the mooring pontoons, the bank and the car park at the marina. Mark, the Marina Manager, and his colleagues had been working hard overnight to check that all the boats were safe and slackening mooring lines, where necessary, under very difficult conditions.  When I called in again on the afternoon of Friday 30th November, the water had receded to almost normal and again the marina people had been checking that boats weren't hung up on pontoons, etc as the level went down.  Their hard work is really appreciated.  Many thanks!

The Oundle Mill Restaurant at Upper Barnwell lock wasn't so fortunate. It was completely flooded out and we feel really sorry for the owners, who had recently put so much time and money into restoring it. This photo (also taken on the 26th) shows the mill isolated in the middle of the river, which can also be seen cascading over the lock gates.  The relief channel, which bypasses the Upper and Lower Barnwell locks, just couldn't take all the flow and had burst its banks where it flows under the old stone bridge on the road into town, as can be seen in the last photo.

Strong Stream Advice 2

Following from a previous blog on the same topic, and with temperatures now in the low 30's The Environment Agency has cancelled its Strong Stream Advice for The River Nene:

The Strong Stream Advice issued for the River Nene has been cancelled. Locks that were closed to discharge flood water have been re-opened. 

River flows will remain above normal. Headroom will be restricted at some sites for a time. Anyone intending to navigate should proceed with extreme caution.

Now we can start to reorganise our plans and make a dash from March to Oundle! How exciting!

Strong Stream Advice

Strong Stream Advice (SSA) is a valuable service published by the Environment Agency to warn of fast moving water in their rivers. Phone the 24 hour SSA hotline: 0845 988 1188. Choose option 1 and listen to the pre-recorded information followed by one of these quick dial codes:
    •    Nene - 032112
    •    Great Ouse - 033211

Since we left the haven of The Lazy Otter on the Old West River we have made progress only as far as March Marina, having been held up in our progress to Oundle on the Nene by a combination of SSAs and our busy schedules on other matters.
Now we have signed up for the EA's email and text alerts for flooding and SSAs (call Floodline on 0845 988 1188).
Here's the latest:

Wednesday July 11th
From the Environment Agency
"The Strong Stream Advice issued for the River Nene has been cancelled. Locks that were closed to discharge flood water have been re-opened."
Hurrah!

Friday July 13th
"Strong Stream Advice has been issued for the River Nene. Several locks on the River Nene are closed to navigation and are being used to discharge flood waters.
The Environment Agency strongly advises against attempting to boat on the River Nene."
Aaaagh!

Missed the 2 day window of opportunity! We envisage another month or so at March Marina instead of our new home at Oundle.
We dream enviously of our former moorings at the calm and lazy Otter.
Will this downpour never end?!
Are other folks having similar problems? Share your stories!