River Dart Biological Survey 10th June - 15th July 1968

This is the River Dart Biological Survey from 10th June to 15th July 1968 by the Devon River Authority. This survey was undertaken to investigate the invertebrate bottom fauna of the river and to assess the condition of the river with regard to pollution. It describes the environmental conditions of the River Dart and the biological sampling method used, plus a brief conclusion of the survey. It also contains tables with the different species present and abundance on each sampling stations.

River Dart Scale Reading Investigation 1971

This is the River Dart Scale Reading Investigation Report on the 1971 season by the Devon River Board. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale-reading, the general biology of the salmon population of the River Dart. In 1967 the final report on a five-year scale reading programme was summarised, at the time it was considered sufficient information to help with restocking programmes and the management of salmon population. But a further scale reading programme was started in an attempt to monitor changing patterns in salmon runs that may be caused by the new influences. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All are summarized in tables, and figures are also included plotting weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

River Dart Scale Reading Investigation 1972

This is the River Dart Scale Reading Investigation Report on the 1972 season by the Devon River Board. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale-reading, the general biology of the salmon population of the River Dart. In 1967 the final report on a five-year scale reading programme was summarised, at the time it was considered sufficient information to help with restocking programmes and the management of salmon population. But a further scale reading programme was started in an attempt to monitor changing patterns in salmon runs that may be caused by the new influences. It reviews the methods used for collection of the scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

Report to the Devon River Board on the investigations in the Walla Brook

This is the Report to the Devon River Board on the investigations in the Walla Brook (1955-58). This report provides information on the nature and quantification of the bottom fauna, the population of fish and their habits and behaviour throughout the year, and the relation of this fish population to the potential stock-carrying capacity of the river. It includes a bottom fauna list with occurring invertebrates and an Addendum to the report.

River Teign Fisheries Survey 1963

This is the River Teign Fisheries Survey from 1963 by the Devon River Authority. The principal object of the survey is to examine the distribution and relative abundance of salmonid fish in the river system in order to assess the possibility of increasing the salmon population by artificial propagation. A secondary object is to examine the condition of the river downstream of the Rookery Brook confluence, which was affected by the pollution and fish mortality in 1962 to assess the advisability of restocking the length with brown trout. The report contains a brief introduction of the general aspects of the catchment, chemistry, pollution, biology and fisheries in the river, methodology that looks at the selected transects and techniques for sampling and results. In the appendix, it is explained why the Board have decided to proceed with the artificial propagation and the required procedure. Maps with survey sections and fish indices along with tables with size distributions and totals of salmonids found are attached.

River Exe Fisheries Survey 1966-1967

This is the River Exe Fisheries Survey 1966-1967 by the Devon River Authority. This is the fifth Fisheries Survey to be carried out in the initial series, other surveys having been carried out on the Rivers Teign, Torridge, Dart and Erme. The object of the survey was to examine the distribution and relative abundance of salmonid fish in the river system, in order to assess the possibility, or desirability, of increasing salmon smolt production of the river by artificial propagation or other means. The survey was carried out from middle May to end of July in 1966 when further survey work was prevented by high water levels, and from the end of June to the end of September in 1967. It contains a brief introduction of general aspects of the catchment, chemistry, pollution, biology and fisheries in the river, methodology that looks at the selected transects and techniques for sampling, results and recommendations. The results goes through totals of all salmonid fish caught, adults, parrs and estimations of parr population individually for salmo salar and salmo trutta. Maps with survey sections and fish indices along with tables with size distributions and totals of salmonids found are attached.

River Exe Scale Reading Investigation. 5th Annual Report for the 1970 Season

This is the 5th Annual Report of the Rive Exe Scale Reading Investigation for the 1970 season by the Devon River Authority. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale reading, the biology of age classes of the salmon population of the River Exe. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

River Exe Scale Reading Investigation. 6th Annual Report for the 1971 Season.

This is the 6th Annual Report of the Rive Exe Scale Reading Investigation for the 1971 Season by the Devon River Authority. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale reading, the biology of age classes of the salmon population of the River Exe. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

River Exe Scale Reading Investigation. 7th Annual Report for the 1972 season

This is the 7th Annual Report of the Rive Exe Scale Reading Investigation for the 1972 Season by the Devon River Authority. The object of this investigation is to examine, by means of scale reading, the biology of age classes of the salmon population of the River Exe. It reviews the methods used for the collection of scales and examination of the materials. It shows the results of the survey and the number of scales studied from each of the various sea-age classes, time of running with distribution of the sea-age groups throughout the season, fish sizes and smolt ages at migration. All is summarized in tables, and figures are included showing weight distributions for each age classes and frequency distributions.

River Ehen and Calder sub catchment Management Plan

This is the River Ehen and Calder sub catchment management plan: Consultation Report September 1993 produced by the National Rivers Authority (NRA) North West Region in 1993. The report focuses on the management plan of both River Catchments Ehen and Calder, in North West England, UK. The Catchment Management Plan (C.M.P.) enabled the NRA to summarise the status of the catchment, identify the main issues and present its vision of the future. It provides a strategic policy framework for its Management and influences decision making leading to improvements in the water environment. The report contains sections on Description of Catchment, Catchment uses by NRA function, Target and objectives of the plan, Summary of Issues and Catchment Issues. The section on description of Catchment includes a general description, Transport, Geology, major services, summary of key details, area, topography, administrative details, main towns and population, water quality Sewage Treatment Works Trade effluent discharges, Water Resources, flood defence and land drainage and Fisheries.

River Leven (at Newby Bridge) freeze coring report

This is the River Leven (at Newby Bridge) freeze coring report produced by Lancaster University in 2000. This study looks at fine materials in river Leven that may have to be considered detrimental to successful salmonid spawning. Following an observed decline in quality of salmonid fisheries at the site an investigation was initiated to assess the extent of ingress of fine sediments into the spawning gravels. A broader picture was sought by sampling both above and below the weir and close to both banks of the river. A comparison of the fine sediment from each sample site was undertaken. All the freeze cores used in this report contained distinct horizontal strata down through their length. The cores often penetrated into a highly compacted layer of light grey coloured material. The upper surface of this highly compacted layer is considered as a boundary between fine materials of different origin. Considerable variability was observed in the median grain size (D50) of the gravels from the cores. In addition variability was observed in the thickness of the upper less compacted layers. The role of regulated river flow across the weir in clearing fines from river gravels is briefly considered.

River Irk intensive survey

This is the River Irk intensive survey produced by the North West Water in 1986. This report focuses on the Intensive Survey carried out on the River Irk on 15 April 1986. The river Irk was one of the most polluted rivers in North West Water's area. In dry weather the bulk of the flow in the river originated from the 3 sewage works within the catchment (Castleton ETW, Royton ETW and Oldham ETW). The river Irk was badly affected by numerous unsatisfactory storm sewage overflows (SSOs) within the catchment. Several sewerage projects had been carried out within the Irk catchment especially in the Middleton area, where earlier major redevelopment of the old town centre took place between 1969 and 1976, at which time the main sewers were reconstructed. The survey was designed to investigate the changes in the water quality of the river Irk which take place during wet weather. Because of manpower and analytical restrictions the study on Wince Brook and the river Irk upstream of Wince Brook was limited to their bottom reaches.

Acid waters in North West England. The effect of liming agricultural land

This is the Acid waters in North West England: The effect of liming agricultural land on the chemistry and biology of the River Esk, North West England report produced by National Rivers Authority in 1992. This report focuses on the study of Acid Waters in the North West Region of England, UK, which began in 1982 and sampling was completed in October 1990. This work was initiated because of the observation of the simultaneous mortality of adult and juvenile salmon and sea-trout in both the River Esk and adjacent River Duddon in June 1980. Investigations at that time indicated that an "acid episode" was the most likely cause of this mortality. A land use study indicated that a reduction in agricultural liming may have been a major factor in the development of acid episodes and consequent fish kills in the River Esk and River Duddon. However there was no evidence that the mortalities of salmonids in the early 1980's were due to a reduction in agricultural liming. They were due to some other phenomenon such as a period of intense acid deposition.

Plan of the Lune Fishery District. Map of District sealed by the Board of agriculture & fisheries

Historic map of the River Lune Fishery District.

River Leith fluvial aufit. Final project report

This is the River Leith fluvial audit: Final project report produced by Lancaster University in 1998. Freeze cores extracted from the upper and lower ends of River Leith illustrate that the bed is highly compacted in the downstream reach. Fine material is locally derived from bedrock at depths of only 32 cms into the bed and in one core fine material is 66% of the extracted core. Levels of fines that are believed to be detrimental to fish are put at 20 to 30%. Reduced flow and stream power from water abstraction may lead to a greater infiltration of fine material if gravels are not regularly flushed through with flood flows. Infiltration of fine material can lead to river bed compaction and concretion. A small abstraction may have no effect on the morphology of a river if the reduced discharge is within the normal range of flows experienced. However if the impact on flows is small it is still possible that fine sediment problems will develop progressively and the effects may not be noticed for several years.