Almond Feeder: Embankment works

Work will be carried out to assess embankment erosion of the Almond Feeder, near the East Calder River at Lin's Mill car park, Ratho.

The mitigation and design works, which are part of Scottish Canals, Capital Investment Programme (CIP) 2023/24, are essential as the Almond Feeder is the only formal water supply to the 52km long Union Canal. 

Loss of water supply to the canal impacts on navigation use, commercial water abstractions and canal ecology. 

Opened in 1822 the Almond Feeder is the only formal water supply to the Union Canal. 

Just 3km in length the Almond Feeder was constructed similar to a canal as an open channel with four masonry tunnel on the route.

Canal feeders across the network are routinely checked and in this instance visual signs of embankment erosion could threaten the water supply to the Union Canal. 

If the Almond Feeder water supply isn’t protected the Union Canal will de-water and cease to be operable causing major environmental, public, navigational and economic issues.