Changes / Hazards

Current hazards. August 2008

There are quite a number of new trees which have fallen down on the river banks this year. A number of these are lying across/into the water. At present it is possible (even at high waterlevels) to get round them all. Given their instability, it is likely that with the next floods some of these trees will move. Therefore be aware of this hazard at the narrower parts of the river, bridges and where it splits round islands.

There have been a number of changes since the floods in December 2006.

The most significant change is to the small weir above Dunblane. This is the one which is immediately after the old metal bridge. The floods have damaged the left embankment and washed away the weir. A gabion which was on the embankment was washed away.

New gabions have replaced the banking on river left and appear to be secure, however the rapid has changed. It still runs fine on the right (trees have been cleared) but care is needed taking the left line.The stopper is still retentive but more in the middle of river.

At high levels overhanging branches were a real problem on the R line. These have now been cut back leaving a clean line river R.

Many minor changes such as rocks moving and piles of boulder have been noted but it doesn't sem to have greatly affected the play spots.

Work was done putting gabions river Left below the Springbank Gardens flats to protect the riverbank in August 2007. This is as you pass the Laighills park in Dunblane.This has not affected the river bed and there does not seem to be any debris left from the construction work.