The Miskin Project
Clearance of multi-tree log-jam on the River Ely at Miskin. Grid Ref. ST 04337 81108
To allow migratory fish access to an additional 12Km upstream of Miskin to utilize the spawning gravels in the headwaters and tributaries of the River Ely.
This multi-tree log-jam was identified by EAW as a barrier to fish migration during one of their river walk over surveys and was viewed by SEWRT representatives during 2009.
The log-jam consisted of approx. 16 very large trees and root plates which blocked approx. ¾ of the river width and extended downstream for approx. 20metres. It had been compacted with silt over time adding to the difficulties for removal and the blockage had created excessive erosion of the LH bank and excessive silt deposition on the RH bank due to deflected high winter river flows. The following Pictures show the extent of the work
Contractors were approached to carry out this clearance work and quotations received and eventually accepted. However, confusion over the method of funding grants from WAG caused long delays in the commencement this project.
Establishing land ownerships for permission to access the site of this log-jam proved very difficult, but eventually, with EAW assistance we managed to identify and contact the various land owners and obtained the necessary permissions.
Clearance work eventually commenced on Monday 23rd September 2010 with 5 days stoppages due to high flood water levels and unsafe working conditions. Work was eventually completed to our satisfaction on Monday 11th October. However, because there was no effective machine access to the site, the contractors had to use portable equipment (Winches,Tirfor and Chainsaws) and had great difficulty in removing some of the very large root plates. We then made a conscious decision to leave one large root plate in the river close to the LH bank, which created a feature, which helped to improve the river habitat (large woody debris) ensuring that all the protruding limbs had been removed preventing the trapping of further debris in the future. The following Pictures show the work in Progress
The removed woody materials were removed away from the river and stored on the LH bank amongst the vegetation. Some of the largest tree trunks were laid into the river bank as revetments to help regenerate the eroded areas of river bank. Below are some pictures of the site after completion of the work.
The effectiveness of removing this log-jam will be monitored during the winter, to visually check that access for migratory fish is being maintained and the analysis of future EAW electro-fishing surveys, will hopefully confirm the presence of migratory fish fry/parr upstream of this site, indicating that migratory fish had naturally spawned upstream of this location.
