River Doon

The head waters of the River Doon are the burns and streams feeding Loch Doon from the north edge of the Galloway Forest Park.

The Doon is just over 63 kilometres long (including the Loch) and flows north west close to the town of Dalmellington, through the villages of Patna and Dalrymple before entering the Firth of Clyde just south of Ayr.

Loch Doon has been dammed to supply and store water for the Galloway hydro-electric power scheme. Whilst there is a net loss of water to the system, there is a compensation flow agreement which maintains water quality and flow levels throughout the year.

The river has a catchment area of 324 km². The main land uses are rough grassland, improved grassland and woodland, the majority of which consists of conifer plantations. Historic open cast coal mining in the vicinity of Dalmellington continues to impact on water quality and fish populations.

The geology of the Doon catchment changes across the Southern Upland Fault Line from the granite headwater hills to the limestone coal measures in the middle reaches. Water chemistry mirrors the geology ranging from low productivity and intermittent acidic conditions in the upper tributaries to the highly productive, alkaline tributaries downstream of Dalmellington.

River Doon Fishery Management Plan

(information, data and content held within this FMP cannot be used or shared without prior written permission):

Click Here

River Doon Catchment Map highlighting all tributaries.

Support us!

Every small donation helps! Payment by credit/debit card is quick and easy.

To view current River Doon water levels:

Click Here

Key Features

General

The River Doon itself starts at the outlet of Loch Doon. The compensation flow of 45 million gallons per day was agreed as part of the Galloway Water Power Act in 1935
The Doon catchment is relatively narrow and there are few large tributaries below Loch Doon. The most significant of these are the Muck Water, Cummock Burn, Dunaskin Burn and Culroy Burn
There are a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the catchment e.g. Loch Doon, Ness Glen, Bogton Loch and moss and Dalmellington Moss

Catchment Characteristics

The source of the Doon is Loch Enoch, high up in the Galloway Hills at an altitude of 500m. This loch has suffered historic acid rainfall issues
Below Loch Doon the river cascades down through Ness Glen, a spectacular gorge, dropping 130 feet in less than one mile
Apart from Loch Doon there are several large stillwaters in the catchment, including Bogton Loch and Martnaham Loch. These lochs provide excellent habitat for pike and perch which were introduced historically
The Doon was once a famous pearl mussel fishery but overfishing and pollution reduced this to its current status where the population is considered to be on the verge of extinction.

Biodiversity

Loch Doon supports the only native population of Arctic char in the south west of Scotland. This population is considered to be under threat due to issues such as acidification, climate change and the introduction of alien species. Sentinel populations of Doon char have been established in two other lochs in the south of Scotland to provide a pool of genetic material as insurance for the loss of the Doon population
Common fish species include salmon, brown and sea trout, arctic char, stone loach, minnows, sticklebacks, eels, lampreys, pike and perch
Currently the salmon population appears to be relatively stable although much reduced on previous decades. However, the current population is self sustaining without any hatchery intervention.
The main stem of the Doon has an abundant population of Saucer bugs Aphelocheirus aestivalis. Saucer bugs, which require high quality water, are only found in 5 or 6 rivers in Scotland
The upper river between Patna and Dalmellington supports water vole meta populations
Otters are found throughout the catchment
The Bogton Loch and moss SSSI is designated due to the breeding birds assemblages and the transition to open water habitat

River Doon Gallery

Monitoring and Science on the River Doon

Data is collected to allow evidence based management and restoration

Electrofishing

We undertake annual electrofishing surveys on behalf of the River Doon District Salmon Fishery Board to monitor fish production in the main stem and tributaries.

We have a large database which may be available upon request for those requiring information.

Habitat

ART have produced a habitat assessment and fishery management plan for the River Doon DSFB to guide the Board in management priorities. There are many challenges to overcome within the catchment that will require considerable investment and funding.

Lamprey

There is an ever increasing interest in lamprey species across the UK. Lamprey are an important species within the Doon catchment and ART hold considerable data on their distribution. River lamprey are protected as a schedule 3 fish species of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &C.) Regulations 1994. River and sea lamprey are a UK BAP species. Brook lamprey are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Invertebrate Sampling

Invertebrates respond to long term changes in water quality, therefore they can be used to determine pollution problems. ART provide various levels of assessment both commercially and for our own use.

Invertebrate sampling offers opportunities for citizen science.

Invasive Species Management

Over many years, ART have undertaken scientific habitat assessment to determine distribution and impacts with invasive species. Invasive weeds can have an impact on habitat and water quality. Through strategic management and control we continue to address issues created by these species.

Atlantic Salmon Pressures Tool

ART contributed to the development of Fishery Management Scotland’s Atlantic Salmon Pressures Tool. This involved looking at all pressures affecting the species across Ayrshire. The FMS Pressures tool is an interactive mapping platform that will be available to local river managers to inform and target management actions and to provide important evidence for policy development at national level. This tool will align very well with the forthcoming Fishery Management Plans that the Trust are currently developing for FMS.