I
Ian Cloke
Guest
Salmon and sea trout have been given a boost with the completion of improvement works on an important tributary of the River Ribble in Lancashire.
The Environment Agency teamed up with the Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust to create a series of low stone weirs and off-stream spawning channels in the River Dunsop at Dunsop Bridge.
The weirs are designed to help gravel build up to provide more spawning areas in the main channel. They will also create a more diverse habitat for young salmon and sea trout.
The off-stream channels have a pool riffle sequence, which varies the speed of the water flow within the river. These riffles have been seeded with spawning gravel for salmon, sea trout and brown trout. The channels also increase the nursery area for young fish.
Andy Brown, fisheries team leader for the Environment Agency in Lancashire, said: "In recent years the River Dunsop has suffered a loss of spawning grounds, which in turn has resulted in less egg being laid and consequently a lower salmon and sea trout fish population.
"We are confident that the steps we have taken will go some way to overcome these losses over the coming years."
The Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust has completed similar works on Langden Brook at Dunsop Bridge. This comprises low stone weirs and off-stream spawning channels designed to replace gravel lost from the main stream and increase the areas available to fish for spawning. This is part of the Trusts? ongoing programme of habitat improvements to restore the streams and rivers of the Ribble Catchment to their former high standard.
The Environment Agency teamed up with the Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust to create a series of low stone weirs and off-stream spawning channels in the River Dunsop at Dunsop Bridge.
The weirs are designed to help gravel build up to provide more spawning areas in the main channel. They will also create a more diverse habitat for young salmon and sea trout.
The off-stream channels have a pool riffle sequence, which varies the speed of the water flow within the river. These riffles have been seeded with spawning gravel for salmon, sea trout and brown trout. The channels also increase the nursery area for young fish.
Andy Brown, fisheries team leader for the Environment Agency in Lancashire, said: "In recent years the River Dunsop has suffered a loss of spawning grounds, which in turn has resulted in less egg being laid and consequently a lower salmon and sea trout fish population.
"We are confident that the steps we have taken will go some way to overcome these losses over the coming years."
The Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust has completed similar works on Langden Brook at Dunsop Bridge. This comprises low stone weirs and off-stream spawning channels designed to replace gravel lost from the main stream and increase the areas available to fish for spawning. This is part of the Trusts? ongoing programme of habitat improvements to restore the streams and rivers of the Ribble Catchment to their former high standard.