Following on from a major fish pass at Shotley Grove weir, Tyne Rivers Trust is now tackling three smaller obstructions further upstream. These small weirs are the final obstruction preventing smaller fish such as brown trout and grayling from moving freely up the River Derwent to breed.
The work which is being carried out by the Trust and its volunteers has been funded by the Innogy Renewables UK Ltd Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund at Community Foundation as part of The Land of Oak and Iron project.
Jenny Elliott, Volunteer Coordinator at Tyne Rivers Trust said: “Our volunteers have worked really hard to help us install wooden baulks to change the flow so that small fish can move up the river to breed. In time this will help to improve fish populations and the density and diversity of fish populations in the River Derwent and the Tyne system as a whole.”
Restoring the River Derwent is a project by The Land of Oak and Iron and received an award of £3,207 from the Community Foundation to train a network of volunteers that are involved in riverfly monitoring and fish easement measures.
Pete Barrett, Senior Programme Advisor at the Community Foundation said:
“Restoring the River Derwent is a huge project and something that we’re proud to support through the Innogy Renewables UK Ltd Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund at Community Foundation.
“A healthy river is important for local wildlife and projects such as this are crucial in not only tackling environmental issues, but also provide fun and rewarding volunteering opportunities for local people to spend their time in a healthy and relaxing setting.
The Innogy Renewables UK Kiln Pit Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund will re-open for applications on 22 August 2019. If you are involved in a community project or charity in Shotley Low Quarter Parish, then visit www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply for more information.