In collaboration with the Forestry Commission and Alaska Environmental Consultants the EA have been carrying out much needed repair work to a fish easement on the Bratley Water, a tributary of the Lymington River, in the New Forest.
The structure, which is in the form of a pool and traverse fish easement formed by two ‘K’ dams, needed repairing following the heavy rainfall over the summer months. The increase in flows resulted in one of the structures becoming compromised and water levels in the pool above it dropped, making the structure impassable to sea trout.
The structure was originally constructed about six years ago and was intended to provide passage through an ‘Irish’ ford, which until then was impassable to ascending fish. The spawning habitat upstream of the location is pristine and the Solent team and Forestry Commission are working towards a more sustainable and long-term solution to the issue at the site.
