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The
Project was set up in response to a catchment
survey carried out by the Galloway Fisheries Trust
and sponsored by the Nith Fishings Improvement
Association and the District Salmon Board. |
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| The
survey identified a number of spawning areas on
the feeder streams where conditions could be improved
by
- Fencing
off bankings to prevent overgrazing by animals
- Planting
trees and bushes to provide cover for juvenile
fish
- Narrowing
and deepening water channels to provide adequate
current flow
- Removal
of man-made obstructions - such as as redundant
lades and mill dams
- Clearing
natural debris - fallen trees and other materials
- to allow safe passage for migratory fish
Work
done in the last few years has included
- New
fish passes on the Polneul and Burnsands Burns.
- Continuous
monitoring and maintenance of projects carried
out in previous years
- Removal
of a number of 'timber jams' where fallen trees
and brushwood has built up to form blockages
River
staff have also worked on a stretch of the Cample
between Cample Mill and the A76. This will involve
fencing and planting to protect bankings and removal
of several old cars which have been dumped in the
stream. |
In
recent months, staff have undertaken a survey of the
Invasive Plant species - Japanese
Knotwood, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam -
on the river banks. The results are being coordinated
by the Nith
Catchment Management Project with a view
to tackling the problem. |
|
 Removing
a redundant concrete dam on the Euchan tributary
Removing
a fallen tree from a feeder stream. All of the
river staff are trained in chainsaw operation
and safety.
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The
Project was originally financed for a six-year period
through grant aid from The Whitely Trust, Dumfries &
Galloway Council and the Nith District Salmon Fisheries
Board. |
