Stop Press - Flood Alert

The rivers in the north of England can be a bit fickle to say the least. They are not a problem if treated with appropriate care. We recently made a trip to Ripon via the River Ouse, passing through York. We spent a couple of nights on the Museum Moorings in York going up the River Ouse. However we only paused here on the return journey from Ripon before continuing down river to Naburn Lock. 

I have seen over the years the way that the rivers in this part of the world can behave. So I am a little paranoid about keeping an eye on the weather. After consulting the Weather Underground for a longer term forecast whilst we were in Ripon. I decided it was time to head for the canals as a safer haven. The River Ure one of the feeders into the Ouse is approximately 12 hours flowing time from the headwaters to York.

Cawood Swing Bridge on the River Ouse which we passed under a few days ago on our trip from Ripon to Selby. The river was up then and their was still plenty of clearance as we passed. We exchanged a wave with the bridge keeper in his tower on the center point of the bridge. Now the water is already on the bridge parapet!

EA Recorder at Monkton (River Ouse)
EA Recorder at Viking York (River Ouse)
EA Recorder at Skelton (River Ouse)
EA Recorder at Foss Barrier (River Ouse)
EA Recorder at Skip Bridge (River Nidd)
EA Recorder at Huntington (River Foss)
EA Recorder at Aldwark Bridge (River Ure)
EA Recorder at Myton-On-Swale (River Swale) *
EA Recorder at Crakehill (River Swale) *
EA Recorder at Ripon Bank (River Ure)
EA Recorder at Dalton (Cod Beck) *
EA Recorder at Wiske (River Wiske)*

* higher than ever recorded previously.

The highest water level ever recorded on the Environment Agency Viking Recorder which is located in York is 5.4 metre. When the river is at normal levels, around 0.05 to 1.0 metre is considered to be safe for boat passage. 

Here are a few snapshots from the York City Rowing Club webcam.

Here is a view of York after heavy rain has fallen in the river catchment areas. The level on the Viking Recorder is 3.1 Metre or 11ft 6inches. 15:15 25th Sep 2012. About 2.5 metre above normal.

York City Rowing Club

Things can and sometimes do go wrong. The top picture shows a boat rescue (by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue) taking place on the Museum Gardens Moorings on the 25th Sep 2012 at 07:30 in the morning. The top edge of the embankment at this point can be seen almost level with the stern of the boat.

York City Rowing Club

At 08:00 on the 25th Sep 2012 the back of the boat can be seen sinking and the top edge of the embankment can no longer be seen as it is now under water.

This is the Boat photographed a short time later. The brown square building in the background is the York City Rowing Club boathouse. The water level in the foreground  has topped the embankment and is still climbing.

Here is a view of York after the ground in the river catchment area is already sodden and is followed by 36 hours of continuous rain. The level on the Viking Recorder is 4.62 Metre or 15ft 2 inch. 16:00 26th Sep 2012 About 3.6 metre above normal levels. The river is still rising. 

York City Rowing Club

The river in winter can also freeze over whilst it may look like a very pretty Christmas card scene. The steps down from the towpath give some idea on how far the river levels are up at this time.

York City Rowing Club

Later....