Watchet dredging well underway.

PCUK said:
I have had responses from both the Watchet Harbour Manager and Western Marinas to say that the dredging is about 60% complete and work to repair the gate should start in February.
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I haven't been able to get over to watchet but that's great if true
 
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PCUK said:
Until the gate is working it it still going to dry out and many of the finger berths have been moved to allow better access for the dredger.
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CMG were using that dredger, it seemed to make some difference, but every tide brings the silt back in. The harbour needs constant dredging which is not feasible.
 
I disagree. The dredger is very effective, not digger effective, but still good. It cleared a large section of outer harbour a couple of years ago. I'm sure the new operators know that constant “service” dredging is needed to keep things clear.
 
I have been there today.
Whilst there is still a way to go (and of course it needs to be maintained), I can honestly say I am impressed. Seriously impressed.
IMHO once the gate is fixed (underway) t will be the start of a whole new era.
 
Marina 30 Dec.jpgDredger C Pontoon.jpg
Couple of pics showing dredging progress. The first taken on 1st Jan the second is of the dredger sitting in berth occupied by the large ketch in the first pic. The gate is being worked on and I gather Western Marinas hope to retain water sometime in February. At a guess I'd say the dredging is generally within 1 metre of the rock bed. For comparison my own boat on A pontoon is currently starting to float when tide level is about 2 metres below retained water level.
 
During last week I saw the dredger working west of the long pontoon at highish tide. The next day I looked at low water and you could see the whole area of mud was reduced. Quite impressive but how long before it returns?
I wonder if it's possible to raise the height of the gate and the adjacent wall to reduce the amount of water and silt entering at every tide? Even if the gate stays closed for a few neap tides, it would be better to have less chance of it silting up again.
Allan
 
The trouble with raisng the impounded level is that access time would be reduced. Now a proper sea lock would solve that problem and as the entrance is already ideal for it, it wouldn't be horrendously expensive.
Maybe regular service dredging will be cheaper.
 
PCUK said:
The trouble with raisng the impounded level is that access time would be reduced. Now a proper sea lock would solve that problem and as the entrance is already ideal for it, it wouldn't be horrendously expensive.
Maybe regular service dredging will be cheaper.
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Great idea. But Who would fund it?
The problem with watchet is that the marina doesn't generate much income for the parent company. I don't think it's ever made a profit.
I hope a solution can be found as I love the place and I have many happy memories of sailing there, even when it was a working harbour. I don't think constant dredging is financially feasible.
 
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