Strainers on the Southcote Loop

Water levels are currently sufficient for paddling the riverine Kennet loop that runs roughly parallel with the Navigation below Southcote Weir (click here for a map).  However, as you exit the weir pool on the main channel to the left, and just after a shallower side channel rejoins from the right, there is a thicket of overgrown and dead branches spanning the watercourse at a very low level.

The potential strainer could be portaged via the left bank, but unfortunately there is no public access on that side of the river...

...and whilst on the right bank there is a public footpath, it borders a steep high bank both before and after the tree debris.  Eventually the bank height decreases and there are several access points if they are not occupied by anglers (although it's usually pretty quiet here).

Fallen trees are always a problem along this section due to poor riparian management, as witnessed by the amount of snagged fishing tackle.   About halfway along there is currently another tree in the river, which prevented further upstream paddling in January this year.

If the trees were properly cleared the Southcote Loop would provide a relaxing detour from the navigation...

...but it's worth exploring whatever end you start from.

Sunshine Sunday finish for Waterside C

Participants in the third of the four Waterside Series of races crossed the Newbury finishing line in well deserved sunshine after their 23 mile feat of endurance today.

Kayaking Is Not A Crime merchandise limited availability

There is no association with this blog other than that I like the sentiment, but volunteers supporting Canoe Wales are providing a limited opportunity to buy Kayaking Is Not a Crime merchandise.  You have until 28th February 2012 to place an order, so what are you waiting for...

Kennet shutting down due to low later levels

Although the Kennet and Avon Canal is not normally the focus of this blog, it has a significant bearing on the Kennet Navigation and the riverine levels where it is a primary feeder source from just above Hamstead Lock.  With the closure of a long section of the K&A Canal last Thursday, it would seem likely that the lower reach of the River is now facing an indefinate extension or even exacerbation of the low water levels currently evidenced. 
The British Waterways announcement stated:

"Stoppage: NAVIGATION CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE LOCK 61 TO LOCK 80

17 Nov 2011 until further notice

The canal has been closed to navigation between Crofton Lock 61 and Copse Lock 80 due to lack of adequate water supplies to support boat movement.

All of the locks within the closed section will be padlocked to prevent use. We are allowing levels in individual canal pounds to recover slowly. Several sections are very low and will take some time to come back to normal level. This is a long term problem brought about by ground water level being extremely low, in fact it is at the lowest level for 90 years.

The reservoir level is also very low and currently has little or no feed to recharge the system. The current stoppage is necessary to recover levels and help protect aquatic life in the canal.

British Waterways is currently looking to support the closed section with additional water supply from other sources.

The current closure is being reviewed weekly, and with little or no significant rain forecast the current closure may remain in force for some weeks."

The CEH October hydrological summary had already identified the critical lack or rainfall, exceptionally low river flow and almost record breaking low level of groundwater reserves on the 11th Novenber, so with the River Kennet failing in its own right, the news from the canal was most unwelcome.

The view at Benham Weir from the bottom of the fish pass on Sunday 13 November 2011.

The footings of the weir buttresses would be covered for sufficient paddling levels, so whilst it would be possible to descend from the second space from the left as you approach the top of the weir...

...downstream paddling would probably be a scrape with the possibility of hitting spawning trout redds in current conditions.

Low level riverine Kennet conditions persist

Having been out of the UK for most of August I was frequently told on my return how miserable the weather had been.  However, the CEH Hydrological summary for August states that

"in parts of southern Britain flows in index rivers were notably low and accumulated runoff totals over the last six months are depressed in most central and southern catchments. In rainfall terms, the drought has substantially decreased in spatial extent since the spring but with the bulk of the summer rainfall accounted for by evaporation losses, a wet autumn is required to generate a sustained seasonal recovery in the depressed runoff and, particularly, recharge rates across the drought-affected areas."

It continues that "Some southern spring-fed rivers have registered 16 successive months with below average flows and further evidence of the decline in baseflows is provided by the early cessation of flows in some winterbournes (e.g. the Till in Wiltshire)."

The River Kennet proves the point well, and Barbel Bar is currently showing even lower levels than when last reported in June.

The Environment Agency's Kennet gauging station at Barbel Bar is currently showing a river level of 0.23m. The typical river level range for this location is between 0.23m and 0.83m.

I've also been meaning to try out Aldershot Water as a route to access the river between Chamberhouse Mill and Brimpton Mill (rather than walking down through the nettles along the footpath alongside this short watercourse), but that doesn't look like happening any time soon.

Aldershot Water where it enters the River Kennet, connecting from the Kennet Navigation...

...but current levels are not for paddlers who like the bottom of their boats.