It's not looking good here. The Severn has overtopped the Glos Quay, it's probably now running into the canal.
Quote from BW: "British Waterways say the Gloucester Canal is to be used to take the excess capacity from possible flooding in the city. River levels are forecast to rise to their highest levels for 60 years, and general manager Ian Jarvis says there is room for the canal to help minimise the impact." Went down to Boden this morning to slacken the mooring lines in case of rising levels - the scope for this is probably limited, as I think the lowest part of the towpath is only a few inches above normal levels at Saul, with a very large run-off capacity. The canal is not only very brown and murky, but the smell of sewage is strong and it's running at about the same speed as the Llangollen canal. The pooey stuff is going down to the water treatment works at Purton - not sure if they'll need to close. The water supplies to Glos could be out for a couple of weeks, our office is shut and those of us still with electric are working from home. Levels in the Severn down here are forecast to peak tomorrow - it's lucky there isn't a spring tide for a few days. Some pictures and reports from the Boat at Ashleworth, possibly the best pub in the universe: <http://www.boat-inn.co.uk/> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/> It will be closed for a while. Wassail! -- Martin E Phillips http://www.g4cio.demon.co.uk Homebrewing, black pudding, boats, morris dancing, ham radio and more! The Gloucester-Sharpness canal web page http://www.glos-sharpness.org.uk
