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Famous weir dries out after tree gets stuck

Captain of Purpose A UGC image of Pulteney Weir in Bath, where the river level is extremely low. The image shows the weir and the famous Pulteney bridge, and trees and other buildings in the background.Captain of Purpose
Pulteney Weir is usually fast-flowing especially when the rain falls

A stuck tree has caused a famous weir to dry out despite recent heavy rainfall, the Environment Agency has said.

The river level at Pulteney Weir in Bath has dropped "below the usual maintained level" after a large tree limb got caught and blocked the weir gate, a spokesperson said.

"Our field teams have worked hard today and believe the blockage is now cleared," they said. "However, downstream river levels remain high so the gate will remain open until they drop."

Pictures show the low river levels near the city's Pulteney Bridge where water is usually fast-flowing.

Captain of Purpose A blurred image of a digger pulling a tree out of a river.Captain of Purpose
The Environment Agency said workers have now resolved the blockage

"Our gate structure at Pulteney Weir had opened in response to high river flows caused by recent rainfall," the Environment Agency added.

"However, the gate could not close fully due to a large tree limb becoming caught under the structure.

"More water than usual is therefore flowing through the gate, causing the river level to drop below the usual maintained level and the adjacent horseshoe weir to dry out."

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