How Did We Get Here?
The OPW, working in partnership with Leitrim County Council (LCC) and other Local Authorities, commissioned and have completed the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. The objectives of the CFRAM Study were to:
- Assess and map the existing and potential future flood risk within the CFRAM Study Area.
- Identify viable structural and non-structural options and measures for the effective and sustainable management of flood risk in the Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) and within the CFRAM Study Area as a whole.
- Prepare a set of Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) for the CFRAM Study Area, and associated Strategic Environmental and, as necessary, Habitats Directive (Appropriate) Assessment, that sets out the policies, strategies, measures and actions that should be pursued by the relevant bodies, including the OPW, Local Authorities and other Stakeholders, to achieve the most cost-effective and sustainable management of existing and potential future flood risk within the Study Area, taking account of environmental plans, objectives and legislative requirements and other statutory plans and requirements.
The Shannon CFRAM Study Area included Carrick on Shannon as an AFA, and concluded that a flood relief scheme would be viable and effective for the community. The viable Scheme option for Carrick on Shannon, as identified at the CFRAM level of assessment, can be summarised as follows:
- Construction of new flood defence walls, new embankments and a floodgate, raising of road levels and the construction of a new pumping station;
- Assessment of options to prevent flooding on National Primary Road N4 in Carrick on Shannon between the Shannon and the Attifinlay Roundabouts;
- Installation of a simple flood forecasting unit, including an addition of telemetry to an existing hydrometric gauge to send warning messages when water level reaches a specified trigger point.
As part of this project, the FRS options detailed above, along with other potentially viable options will be subject to further engineering assessment. The potentially viable options will also be fully appraised as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the scheme.
Click here to see how this community was assessed (You will be redirected to Floodinfo.ie)