Fishfact.co.uk
Small hydroFisheries Consultants
We are currently involved in the environmental impact assessment of several small hydro schemes in Ireland and the UK. As this industry continues to grow, we have been responsible for undertaking Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and also Article 6 Appropriate Assessments for sites located within designated Natura 2000 conservation sites. Some of the schemes we have recently been involved in include the following:-
We recently (2012) prepared the ecology and fisheries assessments for this small hydro scheme on the River Maigue, Co Limerick. This scheme has recently been awarded full planning permission and will be constructed during 2013. We have also been engaged by the client (2012-2013) to monitor the scheme during the construction phase, and ensure that all ecological and environmental commitments are met.
Juvenile lamprey survey, River Maigue, Islandmore, Co Limerick
We recently (2013) prepared the ecology and fisheries assessments, and terrestrial ecology assessment, for this micro hydro scheme on a tributary of the River Nore, Co Kilkenny. This scheme has recently been awarded full planning permission.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) proposes to restore a small Hydro-Electric Power Scheme (HEPS) at the Roe Valley Country Park (RVCP) near Limavady, County Londonderry. The River Roe is an important fishery for salmon and sea trout and, along with its tributaries, is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC Code UK0030360). The primary reason for designation of this site is the presence of the Annex II Atlantic salmon. We prepared the water quality, fisheries and aquatic ecology impact assessment for the scheme. During the baseline survey of the river a significant population of the Annex II listed brook lamprey was recorded in the river.
Juvenile salmon form the River Roe, Northern Ireland
We recently completed a fisheries and aquatic ecology impact assessment for a small hydro scheme on the Owenafinna River, Co. Kerry. The watercourse is recognised as an important salmon and seatrout river, with good stocks of brown trout. We also carried out sampling for the protected freshwater pearl mussel as this watercourse contained suitable habitat for this species.
We recently (2012) prepared an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and Natura Impact Statement for a proposed small hydropower electricity generation scheme on the Mill River in Buncrana, Co. Donegal. The proposed development will entail renovating and upgrading an existing weir, mill race and pipelines constructed or installed around the start of the 20th century to generate electricity for the Swan Mill in Buncrana, a protected structure which has been abandoned and currently lies derelict.
Mill River Falls, Buncrana, Co Donegal
We also recently (2012) prepared an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and Natura Impact Statement for a proposed small hydropower electricity generation scheme on the Inagh River, Ennistymon, Co Clare. The proposed development project would include the redevelopment of the existing turbine installation. This would involve the construction of an Aqua Shear” Coanda” screen at the location of the existing intake.
Ennistymon falls, River Inagh, Co Clare
We are involved with further small hydro schemes in the UK and Ireland at present. However, due to the early planning stages of these schemes we cannot name them at present.
For a list of other project experience please see the ‘Current Projects‘ section of our main website.
