A chara, – Cllr Des Guckian (December 12th) is correct in his assertion that the cause of the recent flooding "is not rocket science". However, his proposal to dredge the middle Shannon for the purpose of flood relief is not backed up by basic hydrology. Dredging the middle Shannon to increase drainage from Lough Allen to Lough Derg would only intensify peak flows downstream and consequently flooding. I think the people of Athlone and Limerick have enough water to contend with, let alone another foot or two of it.
Lough Allen and Lough Derg should be used to store flood water, unless, of course, there are plans to build houses beside these lakes. – Is mise,
R Ó BRIAIN,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Your editorial on the flooding crisis ("Time for joined-up thinking", December 10th) ends with the admonition that "long-term planning and unpopular decision-taking are required". This is Ireland – we don't do that stuff! – Yours, etc,
LIAM MEADE,
Ballyneety,
Limerick.
Sir, – Diarmaid Ferriter ("Time is running out to finally 'drain the Shannon'", Opinion & Analysis, December 12th) stresses the need to listen to those who know what they are talking about. He is referring to experts in climate change. But what about experts in geology and engineering?
In their book Reading the Irish Landscape (1997), Frank Mitchell and Michael Ryan observed that the Shannon drainage basin, just like the Lough Neagh basin in Antrim and perhaps the Erne Basin in Fermanagh, is the result of "downward warping" and "tectonic sagging".
In other words, the land has sunk into the shape of a bowl or a saucer, and so water can only escape to the sea with difficulty. Referring to the perennial flooding that occurs along the river they wrote: “But the Shannon can only be drained – whatever magnificent engineering works may be carried out – if there is a sufficient gradient between the water level in the basin and the water level in the sea for the flood to be discharged rapidly”. – Yours, etc,
BRIGID PIKE,
Stillorgan, Co Dublin.
Sir, – It may be a little late now, but would it be an idea that houses and commercial properties be issued with flood liability ratings so potential purchasers could make an informed choice? It might also cause some of the more reckless projects to be abandoned before commencement if insurance was unobtainable. – Yours, etc,
JOHN ROGERS,
Rathowen,
Co Westmeath.