LONG POST ON #ELNINO / #FLOODING
As we hear of the effects of the #ClimateEmergency round the world, and see #flooding in #Norway I am reminded of #StormDesmond that hit #Cumbria between 5th & 6th Dec 2015. In 48 hours #Thirlmere in #LakeDistrict recorded 405mm of rainfall in combination with severe gales up to 81mph. This was an El Nino year.
It was the 4th major storm of the autumn. The ground and the lakes were already saturated.
The Thirlmere reservoir, built in 1888 to supply Manchester (153km away) with water, is owned by the #UnitedUtilities a private water company and has an agreement to supply water to Manchester throughout the year.
At the time of #StormDesmond the reservoir was already at full capacity. It is reported that engineers were helicopted to the site to open ancient dam release valves, and the water pumping station was flooding.
2/
The Environment Agency now regularly have the local flood action group at their meetings with United Utilities - apparently a first in England. They are pushing to change the contractual requirement for the reservoir operator to help prevent flooding, as well as the requirement to supply drinking water, as the contract is coming up for renewal.
It's still a worry that with increasingly erratic weather the reservoir is vulnerable, & thus the 10 000s of people downstream
Stingray's Badger Friend
Gary 