Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Have people noticed how low the New River's got?

Last week the water went black for a few days which we thought was the wash from cleaning the weeds at the bottom. This week the water level is really low - just about ankle deep instead of the usual 4-5 foot- when this happens it usually comes back in a day or so - not this time! Any thoughts?

Russell

Tags for Forum Posts: new river, new river water level

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte on June 25, 2012 at 21:38

I wonder whether it could have been staples or something on those plots, or maybe they were just little green spaces. Thanks. I find local history very interesting. Checked the census on my house and found that the owners had a Danish wool salesman renting with them. A 100+ years later and a Dane is the proud owner :)

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on June 25, 2012 at 21:40

Sometimes it's just fate. Love it.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on June 29, 2012 at 12:40

Returning to the subject of the water level in the River, I have observed the recent activities of the guys working on the tunnel cleaning project and talked to their supervisor (from Thames Water's contractor). The broad plan is to dam both ends of the tunnel and drain out the water so that they can get their cleaning equipment inside.

They began by installing a temporary dam at the northern entrance to the tunnel in the expectation that, further upstream, Thames Water would reduce the flow of water into the river. This did not happen so soon as expected and the water continued to flow over the top of the dam and into the tunnel. As the dam was slightly higher than the river's usual level, this did cause the level north of the tunnel to rise a few inches although not above the metal retaining boards. The river flow has now been reduced and the contractors have installed two large pumps which, when necessary, are sucking water out of the river and discharging down an access port to the deep storm drain. This has reduced the level of water in the river to ensure it no longer flows over the dam and into the tunnel.

I have not looked at the Seymour Road end of the tunnel but this too must have been dammed up so that water south of Seymour does not flow back into the tunnel. The water in the tunnel was to be drained out into the storm drain and then the cleaning work would begin.

There will have to be ventilation from the Seymour end to ensure a safe atmosphere in the tunnel and I am told that the cleaning technique will involve something like a huge vacuum cleaner sucking a powerful stream of air that is intended to drag with it the accumulated (rather smelly) sludge from the bottom of the tunnel. The intention is that this stuff will go from the vacuum cleaner into a tanker truck which will haul it all northwards along the river bank to Hamden Road and away. None of is to be left on site even temporarily.

I would guess that this will be fairly whiffy while the work is going on although I have not yet detected anything bad.

I have attached some pics of the northern end. This cleaning project will also enable the contractor to carry out an inspection of the tunnel fabric that is required periodically.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on June 29, 2012 at 13:39

It seems a shame that Thames Water didn't publicise their current work programme on the New River. Or if they did, to spread the publicity more widely - for example through this and other websites. It may have avoided people's worry about raised water levels.

It could also have made an interesting news item in itself. Looking at why and how the company carries out such essential work - which is usually hidden away. They have videos on their website and a short video about this would have been useful. It needn't be top-quality and award-winning. Reasonably cheap and cheerful can be okay.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on June 29, 2012 at 15:13

Thames Water did push the attached notice through my letter box by way of explaining the impending temporary closure of the riverside walk. The start of the work seemed to have been delayed by heavy rain earlier this month.

Attachments:

New River-c.JPG, 703 KB

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on June 29, 2012 at 13:53

I suppose that explains the raft of weeds and detritus that's been making itself down stream for the last few days.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on July 18, 2012 at 17:59

After what seemed quite a long delay while Thames Water managed to reduce the flow of the water in the New River, the contractors have recently begun to clear the sludge from the tunnel. Happy to say, the suction has so far been so effective that no hint of a pong has been detected chez nous.

Some of the workers are obliged to descend into the tunnel to retrieve the bits of rubbish that don't lend themselves to vacuum cleaners. Here are a couple more pictures:

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 18, 2012 at 18:50

Thanks for the update, Dick.

It made me think again about the possible value of a short video explaining not just the need for this maintenance, but how the New River "works" as an artifical waterway. Many people may be curious. And hopefully that will include young people who live nearby.

So I wonder if teachers on HoL - or any young visitors to the site - have a view on this?

Which prompts another thought - about water safety. Following some tragic drownings in the River Lee several years ago, local schools took particular care to teach the issue. Recognising that while families appreciate the obvious dangers of roads and traffic for kids, the Lee can seem calm and benign. Its dangers hidden by its beauty.