Helping Young Salmon to go With the Flow

Helping Young Salmon to go With the Flow

At this time of year, young salmon, known as smolts, migrate down river as they make their way to the sea and their feeding grounds. Usually this happens at times of relatively high spring flows and the fish move quickly and safely to sea.

However, April has been extremely dry across Wales, and this has caused low river flows in the Usk. Shallower water means the fish often choose to hide in deeper pools during the day, where they are safe from predators, and then swim downstream at night.

After hearing from the Agency that the low river levels could harm the young salmons’ migration, the company agreed to stop night-time abstractions from the river. Although reservoirs in Wales are still close to full, several weeks of dry weather has seen river levels fall, and this could lead to problems for the migrating salmon.

Martin Mills, speaking for Environment Agency Wales said:

“This is good news for these young salmon. We keep a close eye on river levels across Wales at this time of year, and had noticed a particular problem with the Usk.”We contacted Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and explained the situation and they were only too happy to help. This arrangement will mean that the fish have a greater chance of reaching the sea.

“We hope that this will mean more salmon will return to spawn and increase the number of fish in the Usk.”

Marc Davies speaking for DCWW said:

“When Environment Agency Wales explained the risk to us we were happy to listen and do what we could to reduce the risk of harm. We are taking this action without comprising water supplies and hopefully can give these fish a fighting chance.”