Safety Notice relating to incident on Caledonian Canal/River Ness
Over the summer a near-fatality occurred on the Caledonian Canal/ River Ness, when a paddler was drawn through the SSE hydroelectric sluice above Dochgarroch.
Having passed through the sluice the paddler was thankfully rescued from the vigorously recirculating pool below the sluice using a throw bag. Thankfully they suffered only minor injuries.
There were multiple contributing factors that led to the incident, but several stand out in terms of that location. It should be noted that this is not the first time in recent years the sluice has been associated with a near-fatality.
Paddlers using the Caledonian Canal should stay well clear of the SSE sluice to river right on the Canal, where it discharges into the top of the River Ness. On this occasion, the intake to the sluice drew the paddler out of the back of the eddy next to the sluice.
The SCA is advising all paddlers to avoid this eddy and not to attempt to run the concrete pad to the left of the sluice, as an apparently easy route of dropping onto the river. The level of risk depends on which sluice gates are open but avoidance is best practice.
This incident also emphasised the value of carrying a throw line and being able to use it, as this was essential in the rescue.
A full report on the incident was prepared by the Club running the trip and the Club and SCA are working with SSE & Scottish Canals to help mitigate the risks involved at this venue.
WEIR LOCATION:
Grid Reference: NH 613 397
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