Maintaining Certain River Channels

Following the passing of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, the OPW began investigations to determine where Arterial Drainage Schemes would be expedient and economically viable. The implementation of the Schemes began in the late-1940s. The amendment to the Arterial Drainage Act in 1995 has changed the OPW focus from carrying out large scale catchment wide schemes for agricultural purposes to works on a more localised basis for the protection of property. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain the schemes that have been completed in proper repair and effective condition.

Today, the OPW’s annual arterial drainage maintenance works programme provides drainage outfall for 260,000 hectares (650,000 acres) of agricultural lands and comprises 11,500km (7,150 miles) of river channel and approximately 800km (500 miles) of embankments and are providing a level of protection from flooding to urban areas, critical infrastructure, including in excess of 20,000 properties. These maintenance works are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, through a range of environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Ecological Assessments, supported by widespread stakeholder consultation. Further information on environmental activities and associated environmental assessments and studies are available on the OPW website link here . This maintenance work is organised on a regional basis, with headquarters in Limerick, Headford, Co. Galway and Trim, Co. Meath. Information on the proposed programme of works for 2024 is available here

To view the Arterial Drainage Schemes maintained by OPW click here.

Some drainage schemes were completed before 1945 and were completed by the local authorities under the Arterial Drainage Acts from 1842 up to 1943. Of the 293 schemes carried out, 170 remain covering 4,600km (2,860 miles) of channel. The statutory duty of maintenance for 4,600 km of river channel benefitting from these schemes rests with the Local Authorities concerned with funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

A map showing these Local Authority Drainage Districts and OPW’s Arterial Drainage Schemes can be found at www.floodinfo.ie/map/drainage_map/