AN environmental project is taking place in a bid to re-introduce fish to the upper reaches of a Scottish river for the first time in 200 years.
The RiverLife project will see the construction of the UK’s longest rock ramp to encourage the return of salmon and other wildlife to the River Almond.
It is the first project of its kind in Scotland, which is striving to connect communities with their rivers as well as to restore diverse fish species to the two rivers Avon and Almond.
Tom Conn, West Lothian’s executive councillor for the environment, said: “We are delighted to support the RiverLife: Almond and Avon project.
“Our rivers are a fantastic natural resource for both nature and amenity, and this investment will help preserve and enhance them for future generations.”
Over the next three months, the construction of the rock ramp is set to take place at Howden Bridge Weir. The rock ramp will serve to help ease the path of the fish over the weir.
The ramp will form a waterfall-like structure made up of pools and easy leaps to ensure fish can pass through into the upper reaches of the river, increasing the area’s wildlife diversity.
It will preserve the heritage of the weir, which was built to power the New Calder paper mill, while fighting the problem of wildlife passage.
Launched as a partnership project between the Forth Rivers Trust, West Lothian Council and City of Edinburgh Council, RiverLife is funded by The National Lottery, SEPA Water Environment Fund and the Scottish Government.
Francis Hayes at SEPA’s Water Environment Fund said: “By easing barriers to fish like Howden Bridge Weir the project not only re-opens river habitat which has been blocked to fish for many decades, but also helps to improve valuable fish stocks, local angling opportunities and enhances other river wildlife such as otters and heron.”
Lucy Casot, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said thanks to RiverLife the rivers are “sparking a passion for looking after our environment, a passion which is vital if our natural heritage is to be passed on in good order to future generations”.
Work at Howden Bridge is only one of RiverLife’s three capital projects in 2018.
It is also focused on improving riverbanks through community action like tree planting, path and bench repair, as well as providing educational activities relating to the two rivers.
Speaking at the beginning of the latest RiverLife capital project at Livingston Rugby Club director Alison Baker said: “The work in Livingston this year (together with work to four additional weirs over the next two years) will allow fish to access areas of the river currently inaccessible to spawn and therefore will allow the populations to become sustainable.
“This is a fantastic achievement which the trust and its partners has been working on for 10 years.”
Throughout the year the project has focused on creating public engagement and interest in rivers Avon and Almond.
It has introduced an education programme named Fish in the Classroom, which brings wildlife awareness to four primary schools in central Scotland between January and March each year.
Volunteer groups have helped restore upper areas of the Avon River through tree planting activities and installing a dry stone wall around the river bank.
The RiverLife project will run until 2020 with plenty of opportunities for the public to learn about the natural heritage of Scottish rivers and their wildlife.
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