A WEEK WITHOUT RAIN and it's started—four waterways closed through lack of water!
With the Leicester Section, Northampton Arm, Leeds & Liverpool and Worcester & Birmingham all closed, Keith Gudgin reports.
That certainly does not portend for a good season as just the first week of a new one.
Leicester Section
The Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal is closed as a low pound between Cranes Locks 22 and Newton top Lock 23.
Canal & River Trust telling it is working on the issue.
Northampton Arm
The Northampton Arm (pictured) is closed as there is little water on the long pound between Lock 14 and Lock 15.
This time the trust is telling boaters to try and avoid using this section of canal while it carries out water management and this may take a few days.
Leeds & Liverpool
There are two locations where lack of water has closed the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
These are at between Lock 81 and Lock 86 with a further location with low water at Lock 1 of the Leigh Branch.
With the trust advising that it is working to restore water levels to allow navigation to resume.
Worcester & Birmingham
The Worcester & Birmingham Canal is closed through lack of water from Diglis Lock 2 to Blockhouse Lock 4.
This time it is a broken water pump that is causing the low water in the pounds and so unable to maintain normal levels.
The trust tells it is its immediate priority to protect water levels for boats moored in Diglis Basin (pictured) and the pound above Lock 4, particularly due to nearby residential moorings. and businesses that could be affected by changes in levels.