News Archive
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Timed electrofishing survey – upper river
The results from the timed electrofishing surveys on the upper river have been mixed but more encouraging that expected following very poor results on the lower river reported earlier this week. ART biologists were in action yesterday from Sorn upstream. The site at Glen Logan has always been poor despite the habitat being suitable for
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Pollution – upper river
in NewsWhilst electrofishing the timed sites on the upper river today, ART biologists came across pollution stemming from the Powharnol Burn. The burn comes a short distance from the Powharnol coal site carrying overspill from the void that is overtopping. The burn flows across a field in which cattle have unrestricted access to the watercourse. The silt
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Still no water
in NewsDespite the weather forecasters predicting heavy rain, the Ayr catchment doesn’t appear to have had as much as fell in other Ayrshire catchments. The Stinchar, Girvan Doon and Garnock all rose yesterday but the Ayr (and Irvine) have hardly moved. The SEPA website is really useful to see hydrographs such as the one shown below.
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Electrofishing Survey
Ayrshire Rivers Trust staff were out on the river today undertaking their annual timed electro fishing surveys. This year, bailiffs assisted and I’m sure they found the day very informative. The survey is repeated annually at the same locations across the catchment. ART indicated that results so far have been very poor and down on
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Pollution incident
in GeneralWhilst attending a pollution incident on the Fenwick Water this evening, we received another report of pollution , this time on the Ayr at Mauchline. The Sewage Treatment Works were discharging a large quantity of grey water that affected the river for a considerable distance downstream. I asked that the person reporting it to call
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Another busy day for bailiffs
More challenges faced by bailiffs. Whilst on patrol bailiffs discovered man made structures in the upper reaches. These are a new addition to the system. The question routinely asked is this an attempt to improve resting places for migrating fish or something more sinister? The fact of the matter is it is unlawful to add
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Nae Water
Despite the weather forecast warning of heavy rain this weekend, there hasn’t been much and nowhere near enough to freshen the river or bring the fish in from the bay. I took a quick trip to Catrine today just to see if there was any rise at all. I’m always amazed at the level of
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Catrine Fish Pass issue continues
Catrine issues continue. Yet again another deliberate blockage discovered by bailiffs recently. The youths suspected of being responsible were still in the vicinity but with no firm evidence nothing can be done. This kind of event is an example where we need the clubs and their members to take a stand and help the bailiffs.
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Vandals waste time and money
The contractors poured a test slab of lime concrete yesterday, the first time it has ever been done on this scale, anywhere . This first pour was 12 cubic metres of mortar as a test to ensure the process and material was satisfactory. Approximate cost of the mortar alone was around £2000. An expensive test pour