One of the consequences of the drought in the south east became apparent this week when BW began lowering water levels on the five mile section of the Tring summit of the Grand Union Canal in order to save water in advance of the busier summer period.
BW hopes to conserve water while boat movements are at their lowest by reducing levels by 12 inches, as the upper section of the banks is the most prone to leaks. The reduced water level in the Tring area doesn’t allow boats to navigate safely or moor, so the section is expected to be closed to traffic and moored boats until March.
Further north Foxton and ‘Buckby locks are on restricted usage and under constant review and in between levels are being kept six inches down – for as long as water can be maintained at that level.
Quite why BW has waited until now, with the water almost gone, before acting is open to speculation. Although the cut may not look as dire as in the 1976 drought year BW reservoirs Drayton, Clattercote, Boddington and Tring are, apparently, as low as they were then, as is the underground water table.
This section of the GUC is very popular with anglers and has a reputation for producing good mixed fishing along with specimen carp and perch.
