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[blunt pencil]

I wandered down by the river today. Dont think i could have walked across the stones if i tried

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[weirdmusic]

blunt pencil, on 11 September 2010 - 09:33 PM, said:

I wandered down by the river today. Dont think i could have walked across the stones if i tried

Excellent photo of the erosion of the North Bank - at this rate it won't be long before the invisible "Stones" end in the middle of the river!

[appropriatebridge]

weirdmusic, on 11 September 2010 - 10:00 PM, said:

Excellent photo of the erosion of the North Bank - at this rate it won't be long before the invisible "Stones" end in the middle of the river!

The erosion will get worse because:

1) The original purpose of The Stones was to direct the flow to protect the bank. As more water bypasses them and as they become more submerged by silt, they will not direct this flow.

2) The failure to control the growth of the "island" and/or make it worse by piling more debris on it is forcing more water into a narrower channel and the consequent faster flow is exacerbating the erosion. I suspect the island may well continue to grow of its own volition especially as the north bank erosion continues, as the water on the island side will become the shorter side of a forming bend. The water will flow more slowly at this side releasing sediment - pretty standard river dynamics.

Eventually once the north bank has retreated enough and/or if the walling close to the weir is not well maintained, the water will start to wash around the side of the weir and the weir will fail.

I have already suggested that the island should be excavated and the debris used to restore the north bank. This would be subject to the owner of the north bank allowing this, the owner of the river bed agreeing to the excavation and the provision of some machinery. I have also suggested a good time to do this would be whilst there is some heavy machinery in the area, namely that being used for the hydro-electric plant construction - it must be cheaper if it is already still around, saving transport costs. However, the Environmant Agency also have to agree any work to the river bed (apparently). The Parish Council are working on this at the moment. An update from the last PC meeting on 9 September 2010 is awaited.

Actions to Save Our Stones also helps solve the problems above which are probably more important than having better access to the Right Of Way. The results of the right work is a "win win" for everybody.

[Bikerking]

weirdmusic, on 11 September 2010 - 10:00 PM, said:

Excellent photo of the erosion of the North Bank - at this rate it won't be long before the invisible "Stones" end in the middle of the river!

It's amazing what a bit of rain does. Last Sunday I was able to cross quite easily even if they were a bit slippery. Alas it is becoming more and more infrequent as erosion seems to be getting quicker by the year.

[catbazza]

Bikerking, on 12 September 2010 - 02:12 PM, said:

It's amazing what a bit of rain does. Last Sunday I was able to cross quite easily even if they were a bit slippery. Alas it is becoming more and more infrequent as erosion seems to be getting quicker by the year.

You are quite right in your assumption, all my life up to the closure of the mill there were the weir boards up & for 5/6 days per week there was no water flowing downstream during the day & in periods of floods the mill took a significant amount of the flood water & thus less pressure & force of water & of course less erosion.

With the new hydro electric plant taking a large ammount water this may reduce the pressure on the banks & stones & help to reduce erosion (we hope!).

[Sebastian-Smythe]

catbazza, on 12 September 2010 - 03:03 PM, said:

You are quite right in your assumption, all my life up to the closure of the mill there were the weir boards up & for 5/6 days per week there was no water flowing downstream during the day & in periods of floods the mill took a significant amount of the flood water & thus less pressure & force of water & of course less erosion.

With the new hydro electric plant taking a large ammount water this may reduce the pressure on the banks & stones & help to reduce erosion (we hope!).

Have a look at the latest pics in the gallery.
They could bring back memories of a very low Wharfe.