20/10/2017. Athlone Town. Pictured The Planning Notice - for the Construction of Flood walls and barriers )circa 310m) along the west bank of the Shannon between Town Bridge and downstream of the Lock Gates as part of the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme. The River Shannon through Athlone Town in Co Westmeath. Locals say that the River Shannon is at least 5 to 6 meters higher than this time last year which is worrying ahead of the winter storms and higher water flows. Met Eireann has also forecasted heavy rains for the weekend. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie