The Environment Agency has recently installed the UK’s first two way enclosed fish pass system, to allow fish to move between two local watercourses on the River Wissey and everyone is invited along to discover how the technology works and what the benefits are to the local environment. The Environment Agency and their Dutch partners Aquatic Control Engineering Ltd (the company responsible for designing and building the Siphon) will both be on hand to answer questions.
The fish pass allows a variety of fish species to move up and down the river, around the existing flood protection systems which had previously hindered their movement and the River Wissey has been failing to meet standards set by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). The new fish pass will help to turn this situation around – allowing sea trout, eels and other coarse fish to migrate up and over the embankments to reach excellent spawning, nursery and adult habitat upstream.
The Siphon Fish Pass is widely used in the Netherlands. The Dutch design was tailored to meet specific UK legislation and to increase the variety of species able to use the Siphon Fish Pass. The success of this project could mean that many more waterways with similar challenges are able to provide adequate fish passage.
The fish pass, which provides passage over the flood bank between two watercourses, needs power to operate. Anglian Water has a water treatment plant a short distance from the new structure and has agreed to support the Environment Agency’s efforts to improve biodiversity in the Wissey by providing the energy to operate it.
To attend the open day simply go to the banks of the Wissey River Drove, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, PE33 9QJ. Parking is available and a shuttle bus will be available to transport you to and from the venue.
