County: Leitrim Site name: NORTH LEITRIM REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEME, Manorhamilton to Dromahair
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0658
Author: Eoin Halpin, ADS
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 588539m, N 839753m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.306400, -8.176100
It is proposed to develop a new water supply scheme in the north Leitrim region. This is to involve the construction of new pumping stations, treatment works, reservoirs and an interconnecting pipeline. The scheme, which will draw water from the east shore of Lough Gill at Sriff (G788338), will supply Manorhamilton (G885395) to the north-east, Drumkeeran (G910245) to the south-east and Dromahaire (G805315) to the south.
In summary the scheme involves the construction of a new water-pumping facility on the eastern shore of Lough Gill, and from there water will be fed through 350mm-diameter pipes to a treatment works some 2km from the lough at Moneyduff (G803343). From this junction point the water will be pumped both southwards to Dromahire and northwards, firstly to a holding reservoir at Cornalaghta and from there to the second main junction at Carrigeencor. From Carrigeencor the water will flow northwards to serve Manorhamilton or south-westwards to Drumkeeran via the existing reservoir at Kilargue. The line to Manorhamilton will be via a new reservoir facility at Lurganboy and from there will feed the town, some 2km to the east.
In the main the 350mm-diameter single pipe will be laid in a trench c. 1m wide and at most 1m deep. For certain sections, particularly feeding the reservoirs, it may be necessary to have two 350mm-diameter pipes in the one trench. In these cases the trench width will increase to a maximum of 2m but remain 1m deep. For the vast majority of the scheme, slightly over 90%, the pipeline will run along existing roads. In these areas the pipe will be excavated into or along the side of the existing roadside ditches. For the remaining 10% of the scheme the pipe will either run across ‘green fields’ or along minor lanes or farm trackways.
It is proposed that where it is necessary to cross streams or rivers the pipe will be fixed to the sides of bridges or oversail existing culverts.
The scheme in 2001 concentrated on the sections between Manorhamilton and Dromahair. Monitoring of the pipeline through this area revealed only small patches of archaeological deposits. Nothing of significance was uncovered in the larger reservoir or pumping station compounds. A full report will be forthcoming once the groundworks are completed in 2002.
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