Treasure Hunters Probe Dry Rochdale Canal

A months long drought lowers canal water levels in Manchester drawing treasure hunters to the Rochdale Canal while authorities manage supplies and protect wildlife.

Treasure Hunters Probe Dry Rochdale Canal in Manchester

Months of low rainfall have left parts of the Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre dry, exposing a mud and grass covered bed where water should be. Two local treasure hunters, Robert Lawton and Liam Kinder, have begun walking the canal bed to search for abandoned items. They have found old bottles, clay pipes and even jewellery as the water recedes. The canal, opened in 1804, has long been a route for transport and recreation, but this drought reveals a new side of its history and a reminder that wildlife depends on the waterway. Fish are seen in shrinking pools, with some struggling as the channels dry up.

Water providers say levels in the north west have dipped to 54 per cent of capacity, down from 75 per cent at the same point last year. In the Pennines reservoirs are at 36 per cent, well below last year’s level of 67 per cent. Across the region canals have had to close to boat traffic due to low levels. The Canal and River Trust is taking steps to conserve water, including pumping, sealing gates with ash, placing stop planks and carrying out quick fix leak repairs. Volunteer lock keepers and boaters are coordinating to limit water use and manage flows, while hydrology experts monitor daily levels and plan for different rainfall scenarios. Utilities have thanked customers for leak reporting and reduced demand, with free home water audits encouraging steps like fixing leaky toilets.

The drought exposes a tension between people who hunt for artefacts on a dry canal and the people who must keep water flowing for homes and businesses. It also raises questions about safety and environmental protection when amateurs crowd near fragile river sections. As climate pressures grow, communities will test how to balance heritage and everyday needs without draining resources or harming wildlife.

Beyond Rochdale Canal, the episode hints at a broader pattern: climate change is reshaping how towns and cities use and protect historic waterways. Decisions about funding, maintenance and access will influence canal policies for years to come, affecting residents, boaters and conservation groups alike.

Highlights

Water policy watchers will monitor how decisions balance heritage and daily needs.