I think the main reason is the Hey Brook flooding up so quickly, John - that is the main feeder for PF. It picks up a lot of hard surface run-off through HIndley, even more now they have built a big estate alongside it just before Low Hall. I have had discussions with the EA re the flooding of the Abram Flashes - 24 hrs rain there and it's up 6ft, destroying any breeding attempts by ground nesting ducks etc. They regard the area as a flood basin. They did a Water Level Management Plan in 2003 which I have here, and there is also a Pennington Flash WLMP which said "The Plan identifies that the construction of a control structure on the outlet of PF may be required to manage the water levels properly". The 2 sites are obviously interlinked and with the Abram Flashes being a SSSI (PF is not as it does not meet the criteria for designation), whatever is done at one would affect the other. There are various recommendations but nothing has been done. Why am I not surprised!

does anyone know the reason why penny water levels come up so quick and high these days ,ive never seen it as high in summer, in 30 years,the points almost under water,i think its all the drainage put in for new flats,leigh sporting village,etc that must drain off into the river that enters both ends of the flash,also the canals been so high that been draining in near to teal hide which then flows into pengys,which in turn floods into the flash near to new hide.ive never seen the flash with so few wader areas as now,anyone any ideas?