24 July 2020
work on weir
The work that has begun on the weir is funded by Dalmore Distillery who own the weir. The work was planned for earlier in the year but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. It was finally started on 20 July and is intended to take up to three weeks, dependent on weather conditions. The work is focussing on improving the passage of salmon and sea trout up the river to their spawning grounds. Over the years changes in river levels have meant that the fish pass had become less efficient and migrating fish were being held back.
An improvement plan was agreed in conjunction with Dalmore and Teaninich distilleries, SEPA, the Cromarty Firth Fisheries Board, owners of upper stretches of the River and the Alness Angling Club who own the banks and fishing rights in the vicinity of the weir. The work will extend the current fish pass to ensure that the access is under water at all times - at the moment it is above water in dry conditions. Alongside this there will be extensive work carried out on the weir itself to improve passage for fish that clear the weir when river levels are high. Fishing on the river will continue throughout the work and it will not affect the enjoyment of the river by the local community and visitors.
The improvements will be beneficial for the salmon and sea trout stocks on the river and this will improve the standing of the river as a high quality fishing venue for everyone to enjoy. While the coronavirus pandemic stopped the normal bank clearance and improvement work by Club members the relaxation of restrictions have seen some Club volunteers tidying, pruning and strimming the banks that the Club owns and is responsible for. This has improved access for fishers but also for other members of the community to enjoy the river.
