Category: Conservation
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Reducing Silt inputs in the Ayr Catchment
Restoration work on Mauchline Burn Ayrshire Rivers Trust recently secured funding for restoration work on the Mauchline Burn (a.k.a. The Chalk River) with the ultimate aim of reducing silt and nutrient inputs and restoring a functional trout and salmon population within this small watercourse. In recent years, the burn has suffered from repeat pollution incidents…
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Sorn Castle Dam- New Fish Pass installed by Ayrshire Rivers Trust
in ConservationSorn Castle Dam has long been a concern for salmonid migration having an incomplete Larinier fish pass that was virtually impossible for fish to use. There were no ideal alternatives for lower flow conditions leaving fish struggling to get over if they missed the optimal flow levels. The fish pass was in the process if…
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Stair Dam receives some work to help fish passage
in ConservationAyrshire Rivers Trust staff fitted two timber baulks to Stair Dam today in order to help salmon over during periods of low flow. Last year there was such a shortage of water that the fish built up in the stretch downstream while upper beats complained of no fish. With the hydro fully operational since last…
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New Counter at Nethermills
in ConservationAyrshire Rivers Trust have kindly supplied details of how things are going at the new Nethermills counter. While they can’t publish real time counts of the fish entering the river, they can inform readers as to how things are going in terms of the counter’s performance and some details of the fish they have been…
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Nethermills Counter
The counter at Nethermills is operational and salmon have been passing through the fish passes throughout the summer months with little problem. However, when checking the counter operation this morning at Nethermills, Ayrshire Rivers Trust staff found two broken off lines on the upper dam beside the fish pass. A gentle reminder is…
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Nethermills counter is installed and operational
We are pleased to report that the Nethermills counter has been installed in the upper fish pass at Dampark, Ayr. This counter will allow Scottish Government and Ayrshire Rivers Trust to count and video salmon and trout entering and leaving the river via the fish pass. Once the system has been operated for a few…
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Nethermills Hydro is Operational
Nethermills Hydro Scheme opened earlier this month and after testing the turbine over the last few weeks, they are now producing green energy. Robin Wilson from the DSFB and Stuart Brabbs from Ayrshire Rivers Trust provided comments and input through ought the consultation stages and since the scheme received the green light, ART has had…
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Greenock Culvert receives long awaited baffles
in ConservationAfter years of deliberation, there are now baffles installed in the Greenock Culvert under the B743 near Muirkirk. This culvert was a difficult obstacle for salmon and trout as water flumed through it and access was only possible during a very short window of opportunity on a rising and falling water. Ayrshire Rivers Trust negotiated…
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Severe Pollution on the River Ayr
By now, there are pictures circulating on social media re a serious pollution incident on the River Ayr at Catrine. Ayrshire Rivers Trust were quickly made aware of the problem and were in attendance within 15 minutes of hearing of the developing situation. We can’t state any more than the Board have been kept informed…