Environmental effects of drought and abstractions of River Wharfe fisheries, summer 1997

This investigation was carried out to provide information on fish stocks and angling activity during 1997 in relation to the drought and, in particular, flows as influenced by Time Limited Licences. These abstractions will be for review in 1999. This report extends and updates the data presented for 1996. Fish population surveys (including eels) were undertaken on the main river and selected tributaries. Angler caught brown trout were examined, angler catch data have been reviewed, and observations by Environment Agency fisheries staff collated. It appeared that in River Wharfe both the fish populations and individual fish appeared to be in good condition and limited changes had occurred since the 1996 survey.

Environmental effects of drought and abstractions of River Ouse fisheries, summer 1997

This survey was the second year of a three year study to examine fish populations in relation to low flows, drought and abstraction in the River Ouse. To fully evaluate the possible effects on fisheries the study set out to encompass fish population surveys from fry to adult stock, analysis of angler catch data, reports from anglers and river reports from Environment Agency Fisheries staff.

The Lune catchment abstraction management strategy. Consultation document September 2003

This consultation document sets out the proposed future licensing strategy for the Lune Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) area. Following the three month consultation period, the Environment Agency will determine the final licensing strategy and publish it in the CAMS document. The strategy will provide an indication of whether new abstraction licences are likely to be available and the conditions that should be expected on licences. Water plays a vital role in the Lune catchment, providing water for public supply, supporting recreation, such as angling and canoeing, and providing sustainable flows to preserve numerous designated sites. There is minimal abstraction throughout much of the catchment, apart from the lower reaches of the River Lune. The document is split into five sections relating to the CAMS process. Sections 1 to 4 outline the CAMS process, and Section 5 outlines the proposed licensing strategy for the Lune CAMS areas. It is important to note that this strategy deals with groundwater and surface water abstractions separately; Sections 4 and 5 are split to differentiate between the surface water and groundwater results and strategy.

River Ouse: fisheries drought report 1996

The basis for undertaking this study was to examine factors and potential impacts affecting fish and fishing in relation to low flow drought conditions and what other impacts may arise as a result of further reduced flows resulting from abstraction. The study formed the basis of a three year project to concentrate on effects relating to potable water abstractions at Moor Monkton by YWS. To fully evaluate the possible effects on fisheries the study set out to encompass fish population surveys from fry to adult stock, analysis of angler catch data, reports from anglers and river reports from Environment Agency Fisheries staff. In order to evaluate any effects of drought and abstraction a three year study was instigated to examine fish populations. Fish population surveys were conducted at six sites in which the triennial rolling programme formed the basis of site selection. Multi-method sampling techniques were carried out at several sites in order to evaluate capture efficiency. Roach were prolific above the weir at Linton-on-Ouse, with gudgeon, perch and small bream also well represented. Roach dominated catches on the R.Ouse below Linton, with perch and bleak also relatively abundant. Low flows were not thought to be directly correlated to successful recruitment of coarse fish, rather the associated high temperatures during drought conditions showing a strong positive effect with most species exhibiting growth rates above their long-term average. At this stage in the study there are no clear indications that the drought has caused any deleterious effects to coarse fish populations or marked changes in species composition, with evidence of good recruitment by several species, indicating that the higher temperatures have generally been beneficial to recruitment. However, the indication that dace did not benefit as well as other coarse fish under these conditions may suggest some species are affected more than others. The successful strong recruitment of most coarse fish suggests that, in future, fisheries will be supported by the 1995 year-class.

River Wharfe fisheries monitoring report - summer 2001

This is a report on monitoring carried out in 2001 specifically in relation to effects of flows and abstractions on fisheries in the River Wharfe. The monitoring is a continuation of that started in relation to the Time Limited Abstraction Licences in 1996 and required by the new licences granted in 1999. It gives information regarding fish populations at a range of sites in the River Wharfe and also two tributary sites. It also gives recommendations for future investigations in relation to both Time Limited Licences and general broader issues.

Lune, Wyre & Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee 6th June, 1974

This is the first report from the Lune, Wyre and Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 6th June 1974. The report includes sections on fishery byelaws, estimates for the anticipated income and expenditure on fisheries for the current year, the arrangements for the release of freshets to the River Leven in times of drought, and the utilisation of water resources. This section looks at proposed abstractions for the River Lune and Wyre, and the Ullswater and Windermere Pumping Stations. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

South & West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee 27th June, 1977.

This is the report from the South and West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 27th June, 1977. The report contains sections on water resources development in West Cumbria which includes essential short and long term requirements for conservation of migratory fish stocks in the River Ehen. The section on fisheries activities includes salmon, sea trout and brown trout catches; restocking; fish mortalities; fisheries investigations/gravel abstractions in Rivers Annas, Calder, Esk, Newlands Beck, St. John's Beck, Trout Beck and Caldew; and general activities held in Holmwrange Hatchery. It also covers prosecutions and electrofishing carried out in Rivers Cocker, Marron, Ellen, Glenderaterra, Ehen, Calder, Irt, Esk and Annas. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

South & West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee 17th October, 1977

This is the report from the South & West Cumberland Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 17th October, 1977. It covers fisheries income and expenditure, licence duties, and information on the River Marron at Lostrigg Beck in connection with opencast coal workings in the area. It also looks at the proposal for the development of the Eskett Quarries and the likely effect on the River Ehen, and the possible development of Rivers Waver and Wampool as a sea trout fishery. The report for that covers the physical descriptions of the catchments, abstractions, discharges, biological aspects, chemical aspects and the present situation regarding fisheries. Also included is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which includes information on river improvement works on the River Calder, Branthwaite Weir Fish Pass, a fish kill on the tributary of the River Calder, stock numbers, and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

Eden & District Fisheries Advisory Committee 18th October, 1977

This is the report from the Eden and District Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting, which was held on the 18th October, 1977. It covers fisheries income and expenditure, licence duties and a brief bit on draft nets for the River Eden and netting on the Solway Firth. It also looks at the possible development of Rivers Waver and Wampool as a sea trout fishery, in which the report covers the physical descriptions of the catchments, abstractions, discharges, biological aspects, chemical aspects and the present situation regarding fisheries. Also included is the report by the area fisheries officer on fisheries activities which includes information on river conditions and fishing, fish kills on the River Petteril, River Wiza and Ullswater, bailiff activities, stock numbers, and an update on Holmwrangle hatchery. The Fisheries Advisory Committee was part of the Regional Water Authorities, in this case the North West Water Authority. This preceded the Environment Agency which came into existence in 1996.

A hydrological assessment of the Delamere Sandsheets and environs

This is the technical report of a hydrogeological assessment of the Delamere sandsheet and environments by the Environment Agency. The overall objective of the study is to carry out Stage 3-appropriate assessment, under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), of the influence of activities permitted by the Agency relating to groundwater on candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC). The geology of Delamere area, based on published and collected information is described in Section2. Groundwater flow and water quality are described in Section 3, including sections on groundwater levels, aquifer properties, groundwater discharge and hydrogeochemisty. A water balance for the sandsheet for the period 2001-2002 is presented in Section 4, and the hydrogeological conceptual model of the area is described in Section 5. The assessment of the possible impacts of Agency-permitted groundwater abstractions on Oakmere and Abbots Moss is presented in Section 6 whilst conclusions and recommendations are given in Section 7.

Mersey Estuary baseline survey. Analysis of macroinfaunal samples, literature review and database production

This is the Mersey Estuary baseline survey: Analysis of macroinfaunal samples, literature review and database production report produced by the Environment Agency North West in 2002. This report presents an ecological review of the Mersey estuary along with an extensive bibliography of the available environmental literature for this system. The central objective of this programme has been to provide the information necessary to support the Environment Agency's review of existing and future consents (for discharges, abstractions etc) in the Mersey estuary. This review of consents was required because the Mersey had been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive. Therefore under Regulation 50 of the Conservation, the Environment Agency was responsible for reviewing any extant consent, or future applications, which may directly or indirectly, affected this SPA.

River Yealm SAP Consultation

This is the River Yealm Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Yealm Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This strategy represents an entirely new approach to salmon management within the UK and introduces the concept of river-specific salmon spawning targets as a salmon management tool. The River Yealm Salmon Action Plan follows the format of those completed for the rivers Tamar, Lynher, Tavy, Camel, Fowey and Plym. It is the final one of seven action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers managed by Cornwall Area. The River Yealm SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. Notably there are potable water abstractions in the headwaters, workings for china clay on the main tributary, two inert waste landfill sites and an aggregate quarry adjacent to the main river and inputs from several Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and two industrial estates. The main River Yealm has been designated as River Ecosystem Class 1 for its water quality objectives. This is the highest water quality target set for rivers.