Covanburn Projects
Sevenacres Weir Barrier to Fish Migration
Client
Ayrshire Rivers Trust
Value
£225,000
Location
Ayrshire
The Sevenacres Weir in Ayrshire was, at two metres high, a significant obstacle for fish migration. The solution was to install a new fish pass.
This work needed detailed coordination in order to deliver plant and materials, as access to and from the site was limited.
The key actions carried out by Covanburn were:
The project was located on the Lugton Water River, near Kilwinning and consisted of the construction of a Larinier fish pass, one of the most common types of design, along the right bank of the Lugton Water to provide passage to migratory salmonids and non-migratory trout past the Sevenacres Weir.
Initially, Covanburn conducted ground investigation work to confirm bedrock level in the river channel, before the installation of temporary works to divert river flows whilst work was being carried out.
The works were overseen by the Ayrshire Rivers Trust (ART), SEPA and the designers, in order to ensure compliance with the approved Environmental Risk Assessment.
The fish pass at Sevenacres Weir provided improved fish passage for the first time in several decades. The weir has been in place for around 160 years and, now has a fish pass that will allow salmon and trout to migrate up and downstream without too much difficulty.
