900 Galway City homes and businesses at risk of flooding

A major new study by the Office of Public Works (OPW) has found 670 homes and 220 businesses and properties are at risk of flooding in the city.

The Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study has confirmed that floods are becoming more frequent and severe in their magnitude.

Records show severe flooding events occurred in the city in 1816 but not again for 134 years. There was a gap of 35 until the next big flood in 1995 but after that the destruction became very regular – in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2014 and 2015.

The study found the areas where properties are most at risk are the lower reaches of the Corrib and the Docks due to high river and sea levels and Salthill due to wave overtopping.

The flood maps specify Distillery River and NUIG lands, upstream of the Salmon Weir Bridge, downstream of Wolfe Tone Bridge and coastal areas around the Docks, the Spanish Arch, the Claddagh as well as large swathes of Salthill.

The study also identifies defences along the Dyke Road as being critical for the protection of properties in the Terryland Valley – these should be “topped up and strengthened in order to support the intensification of land use behind it”.

“From the Flood Extent Maps, for a 1–in–200 year coastal flood event, 670 residential and 220 non-residential properties have been identified as at risk of flooding.”

The study proposes an array of options to combat the flood risks. Among them the building of 1.2m high embankments and walls with demountable accesses around the Claddagh, Long Walk and Docks areas. Road raising is also proposed at Nimmo’s Pier, Merchant’s Quay, Long Walk and New Dock.

“Floating walls that could be extended to the required height at times of risk and other alternatives that can avoid or mitigate damaging aesthetics, view and cultural heritage should be assessed now rather than delayed to the future.”

In the Salthill area, individual property protection for homes at the bottom of Dalysfort Road and around Toft Park was deemed “technically viable”.

For the rest of this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune

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