June 2nd – Heading out on a dull but warm afternoon, the eventual aim was Draycott in the Clay steam fair at Klondyke Mill, but fate had other ideas. On the way, I called in at Chasewater to see if it was filling the canal. It was, the valves were open.

There has been a leak in the canal near Little Bloxwich that has lost a huge amount of water into a culvert beneath the canal, and the Canal and River Trust had said initially the drop in level was due to Chasewater’s supply being cut off by Staffordshire County Council, which was clearly arrant nonsense.

The Trust finally released an emergency stoppage notice and began damming off the leak that very afternoon.

You can read more here.

Chasewater is still very full, and when called upon will need to fill the five inches or more lost from the canal. An interesting situation to watch.