The water level in the River Shannon rose by half a metre in a ten-day period during June with the average water level for June on a par with early winter levels.

The June water level was also 0.3m higher than the June 2011 figure.

According to the ESB the average water level in Lough Ree for June was 38.05m O.D. (meaning metres above the reference point used, which in this case is Poolbeg), while in June 2011 it was 37.78m.

The ESB also stated that the level rose from 37.7m on June 6 to 38.2m on June 16 and at the end of June the level stood at 38.3m.

The June water level was on a par with the November 2010 level, while it was marginally higher than the peak level in October 2009, the year the town was devastated by floods.

The average level in the Shannon for the month of November 2010 up until November 14 was 38.56m.

The average level for November 2009 was 38.88m, while the peak for that month was 39.67m.

The peak water level in October that year was 38.04m, which was marginally lower than the average for June level for this year - 38.05m - and a quarter of a metre lower than the water level at the end of June this year, which was 38.3m.

The water levels are already causing havoc for farmers, with chairman of the Clonown branch of the IFA Seán Flynn telling the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday) that farmers have already lost crops and are struggling to keep cattle fed.