Is It Possible To Have Some Control Over River Water Levels?

[Regulo]

If Tap A fills a bath in 4 minutes, and tap B fills it in 5 minutes, if taking the plug out empties the bath in 7 minutes, how long will it take to fill the bath if both taps are opened and the plug taken out? I don't know. What's that got to do with this topic? Well, it seems to me there are a lot more variables than two taps and one plug hole to consider, and if you get the wrong answer, the consequences might be a lot worse than an empty bath or flooded floor!

[MauriceMynah]

Ray, It's simple.

If the rate of flow decreases, then the same amount of water flows out so levels remain the same. If the rate of flow remains the same then more water gets out and levels drop.

So, this would mean, in practical terms, if I were heading from Bernie arms to Hickling, it would be easier and use less fuel if the rate drops, but I still wouldn't get under Potter bridge because the levels would still be up. However, if the rate remains the same,  the clearance under Potter would be better, but having punched that massive tidal flow, I wouldn't make it to the bloody bridge anyway.

Always look on the bright side of life

[keifsmate]

Wasn't there some old boy called King Canute that had a go at controlling the tides? Not very successfully we are told!

[Cheesey69]

Or it could be that the environmental scientists are right that sea levels rising, south east Britain sinking, too much rain run off, high river banks, water extraction, global warming and ignoring old time water control was right?

[Smoggy]

Of course if a deeper river runs slower it also drops more sediment and gets shallower again.

I doubt there will ever be a simple solution, the fact is these watercourses have always been changing in their nature and we are probably weeing in the wind trying to stop them, the same as the coastlines have always been changing but now it's a problem because we insist on building on the tops of the soft bits and then complain when they disappear under us.

[marshman]

If you have any question where the questions asked have just so many variables, how can you possibly get the right answer?

[Poppy]

On 18/11/2018 at 23:24, FairTmiddlin said:

If my broads history serves me right and this is going back some time, when I used to talk to the Herringfleet marshmen back in the 60's.

 

And again in the 2000's  https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/yarmouth-flood-barrier-planned-1-501595

https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/tidal-power-could-happen-on-river-yare-in-four-years-1-792412

I also remember attending a presentation on a plan in the 1990s. The late Dr Martin George was the main speaker, he was strongly in favour. The strongest lobby however was from the RSPB who wanted Halvergate Island to be flooded, withe the mash farmers there chucked off. Fortunately that plan came to nothing.

Sadly we wre left with the mess that we now have on the Northern rivers which has destroyed views across iconic Broadland scenery from most boats.

[Thiswan]

Sorry, what a can of worms I've opened on this my first post, perhaps  I should have just asked what could be done about getting through the Potter Heigham bridge. Oh no, I think I,'ve done it again! sabbatical for me I think 

[Vaughan]

9 minutes ago, Thiswan said:

Oh no, I think I,'ve done it again! sabbatical for me I think

Don't you worry! This is a subject we often agonise about on this forum, as it is close to all our hearts! As a lover of the Broads yourself, you are quite right to be concerned about it!

[MauriceMynah]

I had a sabbatical once. Given the right ointment it can be gone in a week.

[CambridgeCabby]

21 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

I had a sabbatical once. Given the right ointment it can be gone in a week.

Presume it was this one 

[Polly]

All mad quite mad!

[FairTmiddlin]

4 hours ago, Polly said:

All mad quite mad!

Box of Frogs comes to mind Polly.

[marshman]

Just remind me which Northern Rivers views have changed so much?????

[marshman]

Oh - and the best way to get through Potter is to get a smaller boat - preferably one with a narrower beam which seems to be the key!

[grendel]

5 hours ago, Thiswan said:

I should have just asked what could be done about getting through the Potter Heigham bridge

hire a boat from Martham boats, then if you cant get under the bridge - you are the right side to explore those quiet waters anyway (the number of days a Martham boat cant get under that bridge can probably be counted on the toes of one foot

[Thiswan]

3 minutes ago, grendel said:

hire a boat from Martham boats, then if you cant get under the bridge - you are the right side to explore those quiet waters anyway (the number of days a Martham boat cant get under that bridge can probably be counted on the toes of one foot

 

[grendel]

( 6) toes that is

[Thiswan]

Thanks, I'll take a  look at the fleet nice and nostalgic if I remember right :)

[Thiswan]

3 minutes ago, grendel said:

( 6) toes that is

That's not one of those Norfolk jokes, is it? nothing to do with me 

[grendel]

lovely old wooden boats, though I have seen some of their old ones moved into the sheds to take a mould off of the old hulls, maybe they will be bringing out some new traditional boats with fibreglass bottoms and wooden tops, be nice if they do.

1 minute ago, Thiswan said:

That's not one of those Norfolk jokes, is it? nothing to do with me 

Thats Norfolk through and through, like the webs joining the toes.

[oldgregg]

Just remind me which Northern Rivers views have changed so much?????

Anywhere with a soak dyke.....

Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

[marshman]

I think when the soke dykes were first dug they were a bit intrusive but a lot are now hidden by reeds and have provided additional habitat for wildlife  - but in no way do I feel they have spoilt the iconic Broadland scenery. They remain a part of the landscape to me.

[BroadAmbition]

All mad quite mad!

Ahem, I ain't mad, if I'm honest I'm not even slightly miffed

Griff

[Willow]

Hi all love this topic of northern broads, not getting through the bridge , 

Higher a martham boat , they don't have a problem with any of their boats getting through bridge,  

Better still have a week on top side of the bridge and enjoy the quiet no hassle moorings,lwildlife in abundace,  wide waterways, walks and lots to see,