Water levels on the Grand Union Canal near Kilby Lock in Leicestershire fell within hours last weekend in what the Canal and River Trust believes was a deliberate act. The trust is trying to restore them, but low reservoirs limit supplies.
The trust believes paddles, or sluices, inside Kilby Lock were opened, draining water from the section. Boat movements remain restricted there because of drought, so it says there was no legitimate reason to open them. Despite recent rain, reservoirs feeding the stretch remain low.
The stretch is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the trust says its ecology and fisheries teams are monitoring it. Paddle Plus Leicester said it had to cancel sessions after relocation efforts at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre failed. About 50 people normally attend its junior and adult sessions; club representatives said cancellations brought social and financial strain.
