The Project

designed to provide maximum protection for people and their homes while at the same time having minimal impact on the existing environment

Current Situation

The townlands around the Morell River experience significant flooding during intense rainfall. This includes 60 households, agricultural land and businesses, a golf course, as well as the N7 junction at Castlewarden and local roads.

Considerable flooding occurred in 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2010 causing significant damage to homes, farms businesses and roads in the townlands of Killeenmore, Turnings, Ballyhays, Sherlockstown, Tuckmilltown, Blackchurch and Killeen. These flood events and the continuing high risk of flooding, along with concerns amongst residents about their safety and wellbeing, resulted in the catchment being prioritised within the Eastern Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. That Study led to the development of the Morell River Flood Management Scheme (FMS) which is now underway.

When completed, the Morell River FMS will protect homes, enterprises, valuable amenities and important transport routes within the scheme from flooding.

Proposed Solution

Kildare County Council, with the support of the OPW, is going to invest €11 million in the Morell River Flood Management Scheme.

The proposed solution submitted to An Bord Pleanála in September 2017 comprises:

construction or restoration of over 9,000 metres of sloped embankments;
construction of up to 480 metres of flood walls to direct the flood water away from high risk areas;
realigning two streams; and
up to 11 culvert¹ alterations/upgrades.

A detailed description of the proposed scheme can be found in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

¹a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway.

Objectives and Benefits of the Scheme

Protect the homes, farms, businesses and wider community within the townlands of Killeenmore, Turnings, Ballyhays, Sherlockstown, Tuckmilltown, Blackchurch and Killeen from the 100-year flood.
Improve quality of life for people living in the 60 homes currently impacted by flooding from the Morell River.
Improve road surfaces and remove delays caused by flooding from the N7 and local roads.

Publications

Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR)Volume I – Non-Technical Summary
Volume II – Environmental Impact Assessment Report
Volume III – Appendices

Scheme Maps and Planning Application Documents

Location Map and Flood Management Scheme Study Area – This map shows the location of the study area and proposed scheme.
Benefiting Areas – This map shows indicates areas that are benefiting from the proposed flood management scheme.
Overview of Proposed Flood Management Scheme – These maps show an overview of the main features of the proposed flood management scheme.