26th June 2007
Location: Stourport, Worcs N52:19:15 W2:15:52
Today: 0 miles, 0 locks. Total distance: 185 miles. Total locks: 146
Got up this morning and the river had risen a little bit more over night but there has been no more rain.
Had a chat with the lock keeper and he told us that the water is now at 11 feet above normal. He also told us that they keep a daily record of rain fall at the lock and that this month is now the worst they have ever recorded. He also told us that this is not the worst flooding they have ever had, in 2000, the water came over the top of the lock and he was stuck in his house for 18 days without telephone or electric as he lives on an island in the middle of the river between the lock channel and the main river.
The lock keeper thinks that it will probably be Friday or Saturday before the level drops and it is safe to continue down the river. Having said that, it is very hard to predict how fast it will fall and there could be more rain over the next few days.
Walked into Stourport for the papers etc, parts of the path were a foot under water. The carpark at the bottom of the town is now occupied by ducks. The water is over the top of the bottom gate of the bottom Stourport lock.
The lock keeper kindly sold us a couple of bags of his own coal at £4 a bag (very cheap) as we had just run out and it is a bit cool in the evenings. We could manage without the fire but it is nice to have it on in the evenings.
Just done a wash and the washing line is up outside while the weather is dry. Has stayed dry so far today with the odd glimpse of the sun but there is the occasional dark cloud that passes overhead. Will light the fire later and finish off drying the washing in front of it if the rain comes on.
Stourport bottom lock gates
Carpark at bottom of Stourport, now with swans and ducks
Lincomb lock top gates, water 11 feet above normal
Bottom lock gates. Once were flooded right over the top
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Material Copyright © 2007 Ernie Williams
This page last modified on:
22 April, 2014 12:47 PM