"Large volumes of rain water arrived into the Poulaphouca reservoir in recent days from the upper Liffey catchment area. The vast bulk of this volume has been retained in the reservoir, increasing levels by almost two metres. Without the dam structures at Poulaphouca, this water would have proceeded through the Liffey from Wicklow into Kildare and ultimately Dublin, significantly increasing water levels all along the river over and above what has been already experienced."
"The reservoir, located in the Blessington Lakes in west Wicklow, is used by ESB for hydroelectric power generation. Its dam structure also plays a critical role in regulating water flow through the Liffey catchment area, namely Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin. As a result of the consistent rainfall over past two weeks, exacerbated by Storm Chandra, the reservoir is now nearing capacity with water levels having risen by two metres; the state-owned company has said it will need to ease the pressure."
Prolonged and intense rainfall across the River Liffey catchment, worsened by Storm Chandra, has raised reservoir and river levels significantly. Poulaphouca reservoir has retained the bulk of recent inflows, bringing levels up by almost two metres and nearing capacity. Limited storage means some inflows may need to be passed through the dam to protect reservoir integrity. Passing additional flows could increase flood risk along the River Liffey, particularly in Clane and Newbridge. A sub-group of the National Emergency Coordination Group met to coordinate a response with ESB, local authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Met Éireann.
Read at Irish Independent
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