A survey of the aquatic vegetation and benthic macroinvertebrates of the Crinan Canal, with particular reference to the effects of seawater inputs

The 15 km-long Crinan Canal links Ardrishaig and Crinan in Argyll across the northern end of the Kintyre peninsula. The eanal was opened in 1801 allowing boat traffic to take a short cut between Loch Fyne and the Sound of Jura, thus avoiding a lengthy voyage around the Mull of Kintyre. Fifteen locks permit boats to ascend and descend the 20 m to the canal summit, which lies between Cairnbaan and Dunardry. Loss of water through the locks is made up from reservoirs in Knapdale Forest to the south. Nowadays the canal is used mainly by pleasure craft.

Summer water shortages are a long-standing problem in the operation of the canal. During dry periods in summer, particularly when boat traffic has been heavy, pressure on water resources has led to draught restrictions and restricted locking for canal users. In order to overcome these problems, British Waterways has for several years pumped saline water from the River Add estuary into the western reach of the canal. A new fixed back-pumping station has recently been installed above Lock 14 at Crinan which automatically pumps water from the estuary into the canal when water levels in the latter drop to a critical point.