To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to provide details on the Lough Neagh Levels Scheme.

The control of the water levels on Lough Neagh has been carried out since the mid 1800’s with construction of control structures at Toome and at four other locations on the Lower Bann in order to provide a navigation route from Castlerock to Lough Neagh.

Under the Drainage Act (NI) 1929 an extensive engineering project known as the Shepherd Scheme (1939 – 1942) included selective widening and deepening of the channel of the Lower Bann River to improve the discharge capacity. The provision of three large sluice gates at Toome, Portna and The Cutts allowed for better control of the water levels in Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann system at this time.

Legislation known as the Lough Neagh Levels Scheme (1955), though not enacted until 1st January 1959, allowed further lowering of the control levels in Lough Neagh. No construction was necessary for this scheme and levels were lowered by means of the control structures in place. My officials are currently required to regulate and control water levels in Lough Neagh, as far as weather condition allow, within a specified range, that is 12.450 metres to 12.600 metres above Ordnance Datum Belfast.