Service/product: PortaDam installation
Customer: Peel Group
Location: Bridgewater Canal, Dunham

Problem

On New Year’s Day 2025, after significant rainfall, a well publicised canal breach occurred on a stretch of the Bridgewater Canal in Little Bollington, near Dunham Massey, adjacent to the
River Bollin in Cheshire.

The collapse of the canal was classified as a major incident resulting in localised flooding and
several boats being stranded.

 

Solution

OnSite was involved in a multi-agency, emergency response including Peel Holdings, who own the canal, and environmental consultant, Wardell-Armstrong. Emergency stoplogs were installed at Adgen and Dunham by the Bridgewater Canal Company, which is part of the Peel Group, to stem the flow of water at the point of breach.

After assessment of the site, OnSite installed two PortaDam systems to isolate the damaged section of canal and help re-float and rescue several boats either side of the isolated area that had been left grounded by the breach. This action also prevented a full loss of the canal, reduced the risk of further water scouring of the canal bed and helped to stop further flooding whilst
creating a dry working area for the essential repair works.

 

Outcome

The breach was quickly isolated, the stranded boats were rescued and the PortaDams have remained in place whilst the client considers options for the essential and permanent repair and maintenance works necessary to make the canal safe and useable again.

 

 

 

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