Smithies Brook Weir.

We’re happy to announce Dam Removal Europe have awarded Ribble Rivers Trust funding after a Europe-wide crowd funding appeal.

The capital is for the removal of a weir across Smithies Brook near Clitheroe, Lancashire. The weir is currently a barrier to fish migration, by removing it we will reconnect a 12km stretch of river, providing access to spawning grounds upstream as well as creating a new area of riffle habitat. Riffles help to aerate our rivers and streams, attracting important invertebrate populations; the base of our riverine food chains.

The work is due to take place at the end of June; not long to wait! Before the physical works can start the fisheries team here at Ribble Trust will be carrying out a fish rescue above and below the weir. This involves trained staff netting off a section of the brook, then catching and relocating any fish within the nets upstream of the weir.

Our wonderful volunteers will then be on hand to help to put sediment traps in place to catch any silt disturbed during the work. Together our volunteers and staff will the work to remove the weir by hand to reduce the impact that using heavy machinery might have on the site. Once the work is complete the sediment traps and nets will be removed, and the rivers natural recovery will begin. Monitoring of the site will continue in the following years to provide evidence of the effectiveness of the works for future projects.

For more information about Smithies Brook and Dam Removal Europe visit the Dam Removal Europe website damremoval.eu