In view of the recent opening of a hydro-electricity power station at a West Yorkshire location of the River Wharfe BBC News - Hydropower station opens on River Wharfe and the fact that many more of these installations are apparently being proposed for Yorkshire's streams and rivers, I'm wondering what the environmental impact will be further down the line.

Does anyone have first-hand experience of any detrimental effects on the ecology of a river they fish and know well, subsequent to the building and operation of one of these stations? I appreciate that the 'rush' to build these on smaller rivers and streamshas only just got underway but I'm concerned that, for Yorkshire, at least, this one on the Wharfe may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Google and read up on the Columbia River System and its main tribs (Snake, Clearwater, et al). Your answer 'writ large.'

fae

__________________
"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a
living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Thanks for the reference, FAE; I'll read up on that when I have a moment.

I supppose I have shyed away, to date, from doing any serious research on this subject, as my instincts tell me that from a fishing perpspective, it most likely 'ain't going to be good. From what I've seen so far, however, the 'cost benefit' analyses - particularly on the smaller watercourses - doesn't seem to stack up.

OW, for context, start here: Mitchell Act Economic Impact: 17 Hatcheries, 70 Million Juveniles, Almost Half The Basin Harvest

Update: If you really want to put in dams/locks .... you can have a 'heavy lift' port almost 500 river miles from the Pacific Ocean: http://www.portoflewiston.com/wordpress/?page_id=36 Do click on the map, it's an education on how to screw up fish runs.

__________________
"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a
living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Hi OW

The Salmon & Trout Association receive copies of all new hydropower applications from the EA each week so that we can register objections if necessary. I have recently started to receive this circular for Yorkshire and will try to keep an eye on local developments. The Wharfe one was before my time sadly. If any new ones appear to be of concern I'll let you know.

hello the River Wharfe is such a beauty!! look how many are proposed for the river THAMES, another thread on here from the forum HQ, from what i saw of the details and cost of the abingdon 1 let alone the detrimental effect to fish and wild life and river ecology as through the most summer months there is very little flow if that is required. the fishing on this river is very poor at present due to many factors including eastern europeans stealing fish another nail in the coffin for our rivers. still the couple fishing saturday evening for their supper went hungary what next i ask

Thanks TT, I'd appreciate that.

Away from my original thread and not wanting to tar all Eastern Europeans with the same brush but there was an incident close to where I live last year which involved a gang of them stealing a large number of fish from a local stretch of canal.

The method used was ingeneous, if not altogether original. They had broken into some tennis courts adjacent to the canal banks in order to steal the nets. These were then weighted and used to straddle the canal from both banks, prior to being 'walked' down a length towards a set of locks. Apparently, the gang succeeded in removing a considerable number of large bream, together with some carp. As if our waters - be they coarse or game - don't have enough threats to contend with.

Salmon & Trout Association
E-Newsletter
Hydropower Consultation - August 2011


DOES A PROPOSED HYDROPOWER SCHEME CONCERN YOU?

THEN ACT NOW AND MAKE YOUR CONCERNS COUNT

Are you worried that the cumulative effects of multiple hydro schemes in one catchment have not been sufficiently considered? Has sufficient protection been given to ensure schemes will not adversely impact fish populations? Should a fish passage be paid for by the developer? These are some of the important considerations highlighted by the S&TA to help members respond to the Hydropower Good Practice Guidelines Consultation.

The consultation ends on 23rd September. IT IS VITAL, if a hydropower scheme is proposed/planned on a river you fish, own, or care about, that you register your concerns before that date. Evidence is key! Please take the time to respond. The S&TA/AT crib sheet is designed, along with your experience of hydropower schemes on your local rivers, to help you with your response. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact S&TA’s Head of Science, with your queries. To see the crib sheet click here. A new hydropower scheme on any river has the potential to create irreparable damage to the aquatic environment UNLESS it is properly designed and constructed as part of an overall catchment management plan, taking into account cumulative effects of multiple hydro installations. This is your opportunity to ensure that all necessary precautions are put in place first to protect our fragile aquatic eco-systems.

Please don’t delay!

Please circulate this notice to friends and colleagues who are interested in the hydropower issue and who may have evidence to contribute to the consultation
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