Four Rivers for LIFE - Helping fish in the river Usk at Crickhowell bridge

The River Usk is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which means it is of international importance for its wildlife and plants.

It is home to salmon and wild brown trout, and many other species such as the allis and twaite shad, brook, river and sea lamprey, eels, bullhead, otter, water crowfoot and white-clawed crayfish.

The step created by existing bridge footings at Crickhowell bridge are restricting fish passage, affecting species such as salmon, shad and lamprey which are protected species and features of the River Usk SAC.

Research shows that even small barriers like this can cause significant disruption to some fish and delay their migration upstream.

The Four Rivers for LIFE project are investigating options to improve fish passage at Crickhowell bridge.

The current proposals involve making a notch, or low flow channel through the bridge apron under one of the arches of the bridge.

The notch would include a series of small boulders to provide suitable flows for multi fish species passage during migration.

The fish pass will be designed to help the migratory species that occur in the River Usk, including Atlantic salmon, trout, shad, lamprey and eel.

The project has been working closely with the National Fish Pass Approval Panel, CADW and Powys County Council and the proposed design has been guided by these organisations to ensure that it functions effectively for multiple species, and at the same time has no impact on the  structural heritage of the Schedule Monument.

The proposal will allow fish to get to additional habitats and spawning grounds in the upper river.

Investigations are currently taking place to determine if a fish pass under the bridge is possible. If taken forward, the fish pass could be constructed in the coming years.

For further information you can email the team directly on 4RiversforLIFE@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

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