Francesca Glyn-Jones -
13-Aug-2007 - Staff at the Environment Agency
are using 2,500 tonnes of gravel to increase
the number of salmon in Teesdale’s rivers
by making it easier for them to breed.
The rivers Lune and Balder are important
tributaries of the Tees but do not contain
sufficient amounts, or the right type of
gravel for salmon to breed. This is due
to the chain of reservoirs west of Barnard
Castle which disrupt the natural flow of
gravel from the headwaters.
Fisheries staff at the Environment Agency
say the habitat in the Balder is good and
would support more salmon if their numbers
could be increased.
Salmon need clean gravel in which to lay
their eggs. The female digs a nest in the
gravel known as a Redd, then lays her eggs
which are fertilised by the male. The female
then covers the eggs, where they incubate
slowly in the gravel throughout the winter
and hatch in early spring.
As part of the Environment Agency’s Salmon
Action Plan, 1,000 tonnes of gravel have
already been put into the River Balder and
is being released in phases down the river.
The project is being supported by Northumbrian
Water which is releasing water from the
Hury Reservoir to help the gravel move slowly
downstream.
A further 1,500 tonnes will be introduced
later this year, however tens of thousands
of tonnes of gravel would have flowed down
the rivers every year at one time.
Environment Agency fisheries officer for
the River Tees, David Bamford said: “In
the past, the Balder Valley was one of the
best salmon spawning areas in the River
Tees catchment but this changed when Hury
reservoir was built in the 1890s. Subsequently
more reservoirs were added up the valley.
“We need a healthy stock of salmon in the
river if the Tees is to recover to the same
extent as the River Tyne which is now one
of the best salmon fisheries in England
and Wales. By working closely with Northumbrian
Water we are using the gravel to improve
the chances of the salmon breeding successfully
and hope that the numbers will increase
as a result.”
Salmon have been observed spawning on this
new gravel and regular surveys are planned
to monitor the effects on the number of
salmon in the river.
Notes to Editors: Life cycle of a salmon
Only a small proportion of salmon will
survive with, on average, only six fish
returning from 8,000 eggs to successfully
complete their life cycle. The young fish
mostly spend two years in the river, then
make their way to the sea, where they mature,
eventually coming back to their home river
as adults to begin the breeding cycle again.
+ More
Keep aware of flood situation, say Environment
Agency
Paul Gainey - 13-Aug-2007 - The Environment
Agency is urging people to keep aware of
the flood situation
this week following the Met Office issuing
a severe weather warning for Tuesday and
Wednesday (14/15 August).
The Met Office is expecting a period of
unseasonably wet and windy weather to
affect England and Wales this week.
The first area of persistent rain will
move in across England and Wales from the
southwest on Monday night with the heaviest
and most widespread rain likely on Tuesday.
Totals of 20-30mm are likely to build up
in many places, especially the west with
a risk of
50-60mm over the high ground on Dartmoor,
Exmoor and Bodmin from midnight on Monday
to midday Tuesday.
Also, gales are likely to reach up to 50mph
on exposed southerly coasts. The expected
weather could cause some disruption to the
transport system and to holidaymakers.
Along the coast there will be Spring tides
on Tuesday/Wednesday this week.
This will coincide with strong southerly
winds up to Force 7 in the west and the
English Channel. Some flood watches are
possible but at this time the risk of widespread
flooding remains low.
‘As a result there could be some localised
surface water flooding and also the risk
that Flood Watches may be issued for some
rivers and in coastal areas,’ said Tim Wood,
Regional Flood Forecasting Manager.
‘We are currently checking our flood defences,
ensuring rivers are free from debris, monitoring
river levels and flows, tide levels and
rain gauges.’
We urge everyone to stay aware of local
weather forecasts and to check our
website or call Floodline on 0845 9881188
for
the latest situation.
