Reservoir Levels May Alter During Maintenance Work

A spokesperson for NI water said, “When it was established that the levels would have to be lowered, NI Water consulted with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development’s Rivers Agency, the Department for Cultural Arts and Leisure’s Inland Waterways & Fisheries and local fishing clubs. This involved discussing the proposed works and works programme; and, where possible, identifying cost effective measures to reduce the environmental impacts. “NI Water has provided all of the fishing clubs affected with a minimum of five months notice of the proposed works. Initial discussions with Belfast Anglers, North Down Anglers and DCAL Inland Water & Fisheries have been productive and the Angling bodies are investigating the feasibility of moving fish between sites.  NI Water has given an assurance that there will be flexibility in the programming and phasing of the works to facilitate any such movement. NI Water does, however, have full liberty to carry out any necessary works including regulation of the levels of the waters and treatment of same with chemical substances or to restrict or to terminate fishing as it thinks fit with or without notice. Locations and dates of when lowering will commence on those reservoirs used leased out by DCAL are below. Please note these dates are liable to change: Portavoe January 2012 Copeland January 2012 Lough Mourne April 2012 Lower South Woodburn November 2012 Middle South Woodburn March 2013 Upper South Woodburn August 2013 North Woodburn January 2014]]>