At Lough Funshinagh in Co. Roscommon, concerns over fodder are similar to those in many areas across the country.
With ground conditions being unsuitable to turn out livestock to graze on, and supplies of fodder running scarce, these are issues faced by farmers at present.
However, farmers at Lough Funshinagh have the added concern of the water levels of the lake rising to flood their farmyards and fields.
For Padraig Beattie, the weather over the coming weeks will be critical for both his farm and his own home.
While calving and lambing are almost finished on his farm, Beattie has been unable to let any of his livestock out to graze due to the weather.
His crop of lambs this year are still housed, and with no other shed to move them to, Beattie is monitoring his supply of fodder closely.
He estimated that he will have enough silage for another 10 days for his housed animals.
Beattie said that he is “hoping” that this weekend he will be able to start letting out some of the “lighter stock” on his farm to graze.
This way, he said, his supply of silage may be stretched to 15 or 16 days.
Beattie’s sheep shed, built in 2020, is a concern for him, as if it floods, he still has to pay back a loan for its construction.
The flooding is currently being prevented by pumps that are operating 24/7.
The pumps are preventing the surrounding homes and farmyards from being flooded, but they recently failed for a brief 30 minute period.
Earlier this week, Beattie explained that when the pump failed, it quickly caused the water from Lough Funshinagh to begin to enter a field and approach the house.
A second standby pump was switched back on by nearby county council workers, as Beattie explained the situation is “that bad” that these workers are around “nearly all the time” building up the defenses.
Deputy Denis Naughten raised the issues facing the residents around Lough Funshinagh in the Dáil yesterday (Tuesday, April 9) during the appointment of Taoiseach Simon Harris.
The Roscommon–Galway TD also detailed the story of the failure of the water pump for the 30 minute period, which he said caused the water to reach the doorstep of one of the families.
He described the situation as “critical” at the moment.
Deputy Naughten said: “I want to commend Roscommon County Council, the minister, Deputy [Patrick] O’Donovan, and the team at the Office of Public Works on the efforts they have been making to defend those properties.
“The difficulty is that defence cannot continue for another 12 months. Without intervention it is anticipated that four homes will be permanently lost next winter.
“Emergency legislation must be brought through this house to allow for the implementation of an immediate temporary solution, involving the controlled removal of water from Lough Funshinagh into the River Shannon.
” I hope the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Tánaiste will ensure that is delivered. It is critically important that we get such action before those four homes are lost,” Deputy Naughten added.
Flood outlook at Lough Funshinagh
Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) has been monitoring flood levels at Lough Funshinagh, Co Roscommon since 2016.
Recent work commissioned by the geological survey has focused on analysing possible future flood behaviours at the Lough.
This work was carried out by consultants MKO Ireland based on models previously developed by South-East Technological University (SETU).
Lough Funshinagh has been rising steadily since September 2023 and as of early March 2024, the lough has reached record high flood levels of 69.03m above sea level.
The potential future flood behaviour at Lough Funshinagh has been estimated by assessing historic rainfall trends.
It should be noted that this assessment is not a forecast. Instead, it is an assessment of historic rainfall trends and how Funshinagh would respond to them based on its current water level.
The assessment indicates the following:
In 2024 there is a:
- 95% probability that water levels will reach approx. 69.09m (6cm above the current level).
- 50% probability that water levels will reach approx. 69.15m (12cm above the current level).
- 5% probability that water levels will reach approx. 69.35m (32cm above the current level).
In 2025 there is a:
- 95% probability that water levels will reach approx. 68.15m (88cm below the current level).
- 50% probability that water levels will reach approx. 69m (3cm below the current level)
- 5% probability that water levels will reach approx. 70m (97cm above the current level)
It should be noted that work on the Lough Funshinagh model is ongoing. Results are subject to change and should be interpreted with caution.
The assessment involved sequences of historic Met Eireann data being inputted into a hydrological model of the lough and was used to produce a statistical analysis of how flood patterns may evolve in the lough over the next eighteen months.
The technique assumes that rainfall tends over the next eighteen months will be broadly similar to rainfall trends from the last 30 years.