Cow Hey weir before removal

Cow Hey Weir lies on Cow Hey Brook, close to it’s confluence with Bashall Brook in the Forest of Bowland. The weir is not currently in use, and any evidence of the mill that was associated with the weir has almost disappeared. The weir has been modified over the years, but is originally thought to have been constructed from timber and then reinforced by stone and concrete.

The rock ramp which has replaced the old weir

After carefully studying the potential effects of removing the weir it was determined that full removal of the structure would the best option in terms of improving fish migration and river geomorphology. In place of the weir a rock ramp easement will be constructed. The rock ramp will allow the stream to return to a more natural state, and will restore the natural river processes of erosion, and the transportation and deposition of sediment.