Ages ago we had a good lively discussion over the good Mr Beanzy's concerns that WTT was too "non-migratory trout focussed" and may prescribe works on a stream that did not have the needs of seatrout at heart. I was keen and quick to point out that the trust always aims to tailor works appropriately to each system and never to risk negatively impacting sea trout populations.

As a follow on from that, I've got some photos of sea-trout specific works that we've done over the last year:

East Anglia

Pinching an overwide silt-depositing channel (without reducing flood capacity) to turn it into a faster "gravel cleaning" flow. The channel historically dredged to within an inch of its life as well as having its course diverted and straightened.


Recreation of more than a dozen separate spawning riffles by introduction and distribution of 700 tons of gravel (to replace the gravel lost to the dredgers). The only significant barrier now to this system is the sea-gate flaps at the bottom of the system. WTT are project managing and co-delivering a ~£200k project to install modified sea gates that will allow free entry of sea trout into the system as well as tackle issues on the next river along the coast.



Orkney

Sea trout run into the myriad tiny, tiny burns on Orkney (this is a large one pictured!) and spawn successfully. However, a Ph.D project that receives supporting funding bursaries from the WTT has found that the progeny of such spawning remain stunted at the fry stage and cannot migrate. The WTT project is therefore creating the right habitat to allow fry to smolt and head for the sea.
Groynes and stone channel constrictors will dig deep pots within the uniformly straight, fast and shallow burns. These deeper pots with broken flow will give fry a place to grow into smolts.


Another stone constrictor that will dig a pool as well as some D-shaped berms installed to increase sinuosity of the channel and flow.


200 tons of gravel has also been introduced to the system to create additional sea trout spawning habitat.

Interesting stuff, thanks for posting

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[I]"The fish and I were both stunned and disbelieving to find ourselves connected by a line." William Humphrey in "The Armchair Angler"[/I]

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Interesting post, really like the picture of the big burn.

__________________
Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their ears
Give them unquiet dreams;
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.