Numerous rivers flow into Lough Neagh which in turn discharges to the sea via the Lower Bann River. The Lough Neagh catchment drains 43 per cent of the land area of Northern Ireland, as well as some border areas in the Republic of Ireland.
Lough Neagh
Requirements of DfI Rivers
DfI Rivers is required to regulate and control water levels in Lough Neagh within a specified range, that is 12.450 metres to 12.600 metres Ordnance Datum, as defined in the Lough Neagh Levels Scheme (1955) (as amended).
Water levels in the lough are controlled by means of flood gates at Toome at the head of the Lower Bann river. Further control within the Lower Bann River is managed by two sets of flood gates. These are located at Portna (near Kilrea), and The Cutts at Coleraine.
The channel in the Lower Bann River, downstream of Lough Neagh, tends to impede the rate of outflow from the lough during periods of heavy rainfall. At such times the floodgates at Toome are fully opened, where possible, in advance of an anticipated rise in water level.
Lough Neagh level
Thursday 24 January 2019
Level: 12.487m OD Belfast.
The current level is 113mm below high statutory maximum.
Gates 1 and 5 open 0.3m to vent flows and lower Lough level. Gates 2, 3 and 4 closed.
DfI Rivers will not be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use or interpretation of this information.
For queries please contact our Coleraine Office. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
(Please note all requests for information relating to the location of any watercourses or DfI Rivers apparatus in a specific area should be sent to rivers.registry@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
Contact details for Lower Bann navigation
Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes. The waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland include the Lower Bann.
For information on the Lower Bann navigation contact Waterways Ireland Coleraine office by telephone on 028 7034 4342 by fax on 028 7035 9530 or via the Waterways Ireland website.
