Sabden is buzzing this summer following the completion of the Sabden Weir fish pass. The creation of a natural looking rock ramp will allow migratory fish such as salmon and eels to reach the upper sections of Sabden Brook. This will increase the habitat available to them. The project will connect 8.3km of river, helping to boost their populations.
The fish pass was installed on the large weir adjacent to Victoria Mill to the west of the village. The weir was constructed in the late 18th century to provide a supply of water to the mill. Having served its purpose the weir stood redundant for many years. However, it continued to restrict the natural migration of fish species such as salmon and trout, limiting the amount of habitat available for spawning and impeding their population growth. Until now!
As well as salmon, eels and trout, this project will benefit other species that depend on them, such as otters and kingfishers.
Adam Walmsley, Capital Projects Officer at the Ribble Rivers Trust, said. “We’re really pleased to have completed our first Ribble Life Together fish pass. And at such an iconic location. All being well, in a few years time we’re hoping to see Salmon on Pendle Hill!”
Before and after at Sabden Weir
Sabden Weir was an old stone-built weir on Sabden Brook which originally supplied water for the Sabden Print Works. It may also have provided water to an earlier cotton mill in the late 18th century. Located on Sabden Brook within the picturesque village of Sabden, the fish pass is located next to a small area of unofficial parkland near the bus stop on Whalley Road.