>This is the answer to Stourport Basin as reported on
>narrowboatworld.com
>
>Boats left marooned
>
>By Sol Buckner
>
>Jul 25, 2006
>
>Narrowboats in the Stourport basin were marooned for 24 hours when
>levels dropped too low because farmers had siphoned water from
>canals to boost their flagging crops.
>
>Six boats were prevented from getting into Stourport basin on Monday
>when water levels fell to just 12 inches.
>
>Boats in the bottom basin were also prevented from leaving all day.
>
>British Waterways blamed farmers in the West Midlands area for
>siphoning off water from the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal
>to spray their crops in the current heatwave.
>
>Grass fires along the Shropshire Union Canal, which feeds into the
>Staffordshire Canal, were also contributing to the loss.
>Firefighters in Shropshire have been pumping water directly from the
>canal on to blazes.
>
>One of the paddles on the bottom basin lock was also left open
>overnight on Sunday allowing water to flood out into the River
>Severn, adding to the problems.
>
>Water from reservoirs in the West Midlands was released to refill
>the basin and boats but vessels were unable to move through the
>basin until earlier today.
>
>The problems began on Sunday evening when British Waterways control
>centre near Tamworth was alerted to low levels of water in the basin
>by a computerised monitor.
>
>Waterways staff were then sent to close off the top lock and bottom
>lock to stop traffic coming in and out of the basin.
>
>A padlock was placed on the bottom lock to stop it being used. A
>member of the public spotted a farmer's pumps and called British
>Waterways.
>
>British Waterways has an agreement with a number of farmers allowing
>them to use the water from the canal.
>
>British Waterways spokeswoman Vicky Blower said: "The hot weather
>has led to a lot of farmers using the canals."
>Debbi
>nb TIAMI
Sorry but this report is typical of Narrowboatworld. Incorrect.
One paddle left open would only empty one lock full into the Severn. If BW sent
staff to close it on Sunday it wasn't open all night.
But thanks for sending the report Debbie.
Sue nb Nackered Navvy
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