We electrofished the Traboyak burn last year at several sites. Although we found salmon parr at each site, we didn’t manage to find a single fry which points to an access issue somewhere in the lower reaches. The problem lies with the Culvert near the Barr road. Fry were found immediately downstream but none above the culvert although parr were frequent. The DSFB were made aware of our findings and agreed that we should try and find a solution to get the fish up.

The lower end of the culvert is partially blocked by a concrete slab that may restrict the leaping ability of salmon.

The lower end of the culvert where a concrete slab restricts take off for migrating salmon. A perched culvert like this isn’t ideal in any case.

I met Gordon Hyslop from the DSFB  there today and we agreed that the culvert was the problem. As we don’t have much time until spawning takes place, Gordon has agreed to pull an offending slab of concrete from the pool below the culvert. This concrete is preventing salmon from leaping into the culvert as it has lodged at the take off point. The concrete slab was once part of the structure but has recently dislodged blocking access. The culvert has been in place for about 20 years but is now in poor condition.

Gordon inspecting the culvert. Note the oval shape!

Gordon inspecting the culvert.

A huge amount of forestry is being removed from the upper Traboyak and all of it is extracted across the culvert on articulated vehicles. The concrete lining of the culvert has almost all broken free leaving reinforcement wire protruding along one side to spear fish. While the culvert appears to be a perfect oval, it isn’t and it is showing signs of loading from above. Perhaps we can negotiate a long term solution with the landowners ensuring both they and the fish have continued access.