Reduction in Rate of Water Level Decrease in Poulaphouca

Water level in the Poulaphouca Reservoir
Image courtesy ESB

Water level in the Poulaphouca Reservoir is still dropping, albeit at a slower rate than a month ago when it was about 2 cm to 2.5 cm per day.

The ESB seem to be topping up the Golden Falls reservoir.  This isn't for increasing storage of water for treatment, as the intake for the Ballymore Eustace WTP is located at the Poulaphouca lake. Possibly, they're increasing the level to allow electricity generation. I haven't calculated whether this increase in level accounts for the continuous drop in the level of water in the Poulaphouca lake, and I would have thought the inflow from the Liffey and Kings River after recent rainy periods would be exceeding what's released by the Poulaphouca dam and drawn off by the WTP.  However, large amount of rainfall may not have percolated through the ground yet, because of the moisture deficit in the river catchment areas (currently approximately 50 mm.) Golden Falls flow into the River Liffey is still 2 m³/s, averaged over a day.

Edit: According to the document, Eastern CFRAM Study
Liffey Flood Controls & Flood Forecasting System Option:

"The control levels of the Golden Falls reservoir are:
 Maximum Crest Level: 140.55 [mOD]
 Maximum Normal Operating Level: 139.00 [mOD]
 Minimum Normal Operating Level: 136.00 [mOD]"

Water level in the Golden Falls compensation reservoir
Image courtesy ESB.

Graph images courtesy ESB.
 

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