Restormel Fish Counter Annual Report 2008

This is the Restormel Fish Counter, Annual Report 2008 produced by the Environment Agency South West Region on April 2009. The report presents the upstream counts of migratory salmonids recorded on the River Fowey at Restormel Weir fish counting station (SX 107 613) over the period March 2008 to February 2009 inclusive. Data contained within this report covers the period of the commercial migratory salmonid net buy-back scheme and the National Spring Salmon Byelaws. The minimum upstream salmon estimate for 2008, over the period July 2008 to February 2009, was 938 and is the third highest recorded count over the past 14 years. The 2008 large sea trout count (482) shows a marked improvement in the number of returning fish when compared to 2007 (241). There was a significant decrease in the number of small sea trout returning in 2008 when compared to 2007 and the 10-year average.

Restormel Fish Counter Annual Report 2008

This is the Restormel Fish Counter, Annual Report 2008 produced by the Environment Agency South West Region on April 2009. The report presents the upstream counts of migratory salmonids recorded on the River Fowey at Restormel Weir fish counting station (SX 107 613) over the period March 2008 to February 2009 inclusive. Data contained within this report covers the period of the commercial migratory salmonid net buy-back scheme and the National Spring Salmon Byelaws. The minimum upstream salmon estimate for 2008, over the period July 2008 to February 2009, was 938, which is the third highest recorded count over the past 14 years. The 2008 large sea trout count (482) shows a marked improvement in the number of returning fish when compared to 2007 (241). There was a significant decrease in the number of small sea trout returning in 2008 when compared to 2007 and the 10-year average. The fish counter suffered several faults equated to 12.5 days during this period.

Restormel Fish Counter Annual Report 2010

This is the Restormel Fish Counter, Annual Report 2010 produced by the Environment Agency South West Region on June 2011. The report presents the upstream counts of migratory salmonids recorded on the River Fowey at Restormel Weir fish counting station (SX 107 613) over the period March 2010 to February 2011 inclusive. Data contained within this report covers the period of the commercial migratory salmonid net buy-back scheme and the National Spring Salmon Byelaws. The minimum upstream salmon estimate for 2010, over the period July 2010 to February 2010, was 1220. The fish counter at Restormel suffered from only one major period of unscheduled downtime during 2010/2011. This was due to a counter fault over the period 21 to 30 August 2010 and equated to 10 days of downtime.

Restormel Fish Counter Annual Report 2011

This is the Restormel Fish Counter, Annual Report 2011 produced by the Environment Agency, Environmental Monitoring Team on May 2012. The report presents the upstream counts of migratory salmonids recorded on the River Fowey at Restormel Weir fish counting station (SX 107 613) over the period March 2011 to February 2012 inclusive. The minimum upstream salmon estimate for 2011, over the period July 2011 to February 2012, was 675. The minimum upstream sea trout estimate for 2011 was 10,022, which is the fifth highest count recorded in the last 17 years. The fish counter at Restormel had six periods of downtime due to counter faults which equated to 19 days of downtime overall. Fish counts were estimated for downtime caused by counter faults but not for weir cleaning due to the small numbers of fish involved.

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 Crake (at Bouthrey Bridge) freeze coring report

This is the River Crake (at Bouthrey Bridge) freeze coring report produced by Lancaster University in 1999. This study looks at fine materials in river Crake at Bouthrey Bridge 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. Fine sediments from one potential source, upstream riverbanks, are also compared to those isolated from the spawning gravels. The percentage by weight of fine sediments for the six freeze cores, was found to be lower than first expected, given the visual appearance of the reach. However the fines were found to be distributed evenly down the cores with a marked absence of an upper, coarse gravel armour layer. In addition the median grain size (D50) of the six samples was generally low, falling to 6mm for core 5. The low median grain size and the absence of coarse grained upper strata are considered detrimental to the success rate of salmonid spawning.

Review of discharge consents. River Irwell catchment report

This is the Review of discharge consents, River Irwell catchment report produced by the North West Water Authority (NWWA) in 1979. The purpose of this Report is to make recommendations for the revision of consents for discharges within the catchment of the River Irwell, downstream and including the River Medlock in Manchester. This revision has the sole objective of recognising the present effluent and river water quality - proposals for long term river water quality objectives are to be put forward in other Reports. The report identifies the existing situation regarding the legal status of effluent discharges from Authority and non-Authority owned installations within the catchment, details the determinant concentration limits included in existing discharge consents (where appropriate) and proposes the limits to be included in the reviewed consents. The reviewed consents will reflect the quality of effluent achievable by good operation of the existing plant based on 1977 effluent quality data but taking into account any improvements, extensions etc. that have been or are about to be carried out and any known further industrial and/or housing development in the works drainage area.

Limnological survey of the Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire Meres. Interim data report

This is the Limnological survey of the Cheshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire Meres: Interim data report produced by the University of Liverpool in 1992. This report looks at the Limnological survey data from Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire Meres. Limnological data of the report covers: changes in water conductivity, Phenolphthalein Alkalinity, Total Alkalinity, pH, Chloride concentrations, Soluble reactive Phosphorus, Total Phosphorus, Nitrate Nitrogen, Ammonium Nitrogen, Silicate, Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Secci disk depth, changes in Trophic Score, changes in DAFOR scores for submerged and floating plants and Oxygen saturation during summer. This report also contains Seasonal maps of different Meres. The more important limnological data are plotted as seasonal means in relation to the sampling sites. Conductivity is shown as μSiemens per cm, alkalinity as milliequivalents per litre. Total and soluble reactive (available inorganic) phosphorus are shown in terms of P in μg per litre. Nitrate and ammonium are shown in terms of N in mg per litre. Chlorophyll a is given as μg per litre. A profile of oxygen saturation is shown. These profiles were obtained towards the middle of the day in August and September.

Intensive biological survey of the Glaze Brook catchment. Supplementary report on the water quality as indicated by macrophytes. August 1981

This is the Intensive biological survey of the Glaze Brook catchment: Supplementary report on the water quality as indicated by macrophytes produced by the North West Water Authority in 1981. This report describes the results of the macrophyte survey including data on their distribution and the prevailing water quality (nutrient status and toxic metal contamination) It supplements the initial report,TS-BS-81-3, which described the macroinvertebrate survey. The aim of this project is to describe the distribution of macrophytes within the river, paying attention to areas where weed growth may directly affect water quality or amenity usage, and describe the distribution of toxic metals. In the survey 16 sites of 500 m lengths of river were analysed, noting the relative abundance and percentage cover of the macrophytes present, plant score and Community Description Class (C.D.C.) were computed.

2001 annual report on fisheries in the North West

This is the 2001 annual report on fisheries in the North West produced by the Environment Agency North West in 2002. This report has four main aims: to inform the Agency’s customers of developments within the Agency, to inform the Agency’s customers of the work carried out by the Agency, to publish information on the performance of fisheries and the Fisheries Department, and to be a source of future reference. The fisheries service is funded in the main by a mixture of rod licence income and government grant-in-aid. The latter has declined substantially since the mid 1990’s and we are increasingly reliant on licence income to fund fisheries work. The environment agency had managed to use some of this money to fund their Urban Fisheries Development Programme, (UFDP). This is aimed at delivering new or improved fisheries in areas where demand for fishing is high, but where available fisheries are few in number or of poor quality. This work is dependent on good co-operation with local angling clubs, councils and other interests.

A report on the strategic stock assessment survey of the Colton Beck catchment 1994 with particular reference to salmonids

This is the report on the strategic stock assessment survey of the Colton Beck catchment in 1994 with particular reference to salmonids in Colton Beck, River Ea, River Gilpin and Rusland Pool. This report forms one part of the third year of a triennial survey programme for the South West Cumbria and South Cumbria catchments. It was produced by the National Rivers Authority in 1994. Colton Beck had excellent densities of sea trout (Salmo trutta) and a small population of salmon (Salmo salar) in its lowest reaches. The total productivity was very good throughout the catchment. Stocking of sea trout fry in 1993 has enhanced the population with survivors through to parr probably adding to the scoring of double class A at two sites in the survey in 1994. Stocking was not undertaken in 1994, but the population appears to be maintaining itself at a very high level.

A report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the minor catchments in South West Cumbria 1996 with particular reference to salmonids

This is the report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the minor catchments in South West Cumbria 1996 with particular reference to salmonids, produced by North West Water in 1994. The 1996 Minor Catchment survey indicates variations in salmonid production within these catchments. Survey results indicate that production may be reaching its limit in certain areas whilst others are underachieving and others are unsuitable for salmonid production. Trout production within the catchments is higher and more widespread than that of salmon. Water quality levels vary considerably between catchments and intra-annually within individual catchments. The need for selective habitat surveys, with a view to habitat improvement schemes (H.I.S) is discussed. This report formed a basis for subsequent reports, thus, allowing data comparisons and analysis of production level fluctuations. It was the most extensive assessment of these catchments to date, taking into account comparisons with the new National Database on salmonid production in England and Wales.

A report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the River Winster 1995 together with a coarse fish survey in 1994 and reference to the 1995 drought

This is the report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the River Winster 1995 together with a coarse fish survey in 1994 and reference to the 1995 drought, produced by the Environment Agency North West in 1996. Salmonid production within the Winster catchment was dominated by trout although good densities of salmon juveniles were found on some main river sites. Despite suffering drought conditions for much of 1995, only salmon fry production appeared to have been affected. Coarse fish populations once found in the lower reaches of the Winster appear to have declined to very low levels with no fish sampled. This may be partly due to broken tidal gates allowing saline intrusion. It seems that the lower river was suited to the development of a recreational coarse fishery, now that the gates have been repaired. This report completes the strategic stock assessment surveys planned for the period 1992-1995. It represents the last major catchment that was surveyed to determine the current status of fisheries in the South and South West Cumbria areas.

Leven estuary project. Fisheries Department final report

This is the report on the Leven estuary project: Fisheries Department final report produced by the Environment Agency North West in 1997. This report contains information about Leven estuary, river Leven catchment, river Crake catchment and the Ulverston Discharges. The Leven estuary is characterised by being very shallow, and shares the extremely variable tides and currents that characterize the whole of Morecambe Bay. There was little detailed knowledge of the impact on the Leven estuary, and particularly its fisheries, of the discharges from Ulverston. There has been some concern expressed by the lave netsmen and the general public about the possible harmful effects of the effluents on the biology of the estuary. In the absence of a definite strategy for the protection and management of the estuary was born this project. The project involves water quality monitoring, effluent and estuary toxicity testing, tracking of effluent plumes, and salmonid tagging and tracking. The entire project commenced in June 1995 and was expected to reach a conclusion in March 1997. The information gained from the project was expected to contribute to the creation of a 'mixing zone' for the effluent, and to improve the environmental management of the estuary and protection of its fishery.