The fish pass was flowing tonight at just below the designed capacity of 0.5 cubic metres per second. The extension was completed and apart from a bit of rock armour required at the top side,  I think it looks sound and should hold up to the force of the spates that will hit it. I am concerned about the long shallow raceway into the pass (or out of it when fish are moving upstream) but with water levels so low, it is difficult to judge how this will perform in higher flows. Ideally it should be passible at all flows so perhaps a small modification or two may help. There remains a problem just upstream of the bypass intake but will discuss this again with CCT to see if they have a solution yet? I feel a small concrete cross wall may solve this without impacting on fish movements but we will need to look at all the options. This would add depth to the upper extension and that should help. We still have concerns about the security issues that we have raised repeatedly, both from a poaching and a risk perspective.

The contractors poured another slab of mortar the other day and plan another on Friday if it stays dry. I suspect tomorrows predicted rain may prevent this but we will have to see. Although I’m desperate to see the river in spate to allow fish to move again, I slightly torn as I’d also like to see the works completed and the contractors off site. Time will tell and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Water flowing through the new extension to the fish pass.

More rock armour is required here but I’m sure this will be sorted tomorrow. 

The view across the boulder field to the fish pass entrance. All looks good to me.