Source: Avondhu newspaper Blackwater Valley) July 20, 2006   www.avondhupress.ie

Government Report recommends the
Removal of Clondulane Weir on Blackwater

A report published last week by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural resources, and prepared by Mr John O’Keeffe, Divisional Engineer, Engineering Division recommends that the weir at Clondulane be removed because it impedes the flow of fish up the river and serves no useful purpose.

The river Blackwater is one of Ireland’s most important salmon rivers. It also possesses other migratory fish i.e. Sea and River Lamprey, Allis Shad and Common Eel, which are either protected species or considered to be in decline.

The Blackwater catchment is a special area of conservation. There are two 2.4 metre high weirs in the lower Blackwater at Clondulane and Fermoy that significantly delay the free and uninterrupted migration of Salmon and constitute an effective barrier to the passage of Lampreys and Allis Shad.

The weirs expose the upstream migration of the Common Eel to predation risk. The combined weirs impoundment, circa 8.5 kilometres in length, constitutes a significant loss of productive habitat for salmon, lamprey and trout.

Both weirs are no longer used for the purposes for which they were constructed. It is recommended that the Clondulane weir be removed completely to allow the free passage of all migratory fish and to restore the 5 kilometre impounded reach to full fishery productivity.

It is recommended that about 80 metres of that part of Fermoy weir upstream of the town bridge be lowered to the maximum extent consistent with maintaining sufficient water depth for the rowing club that uses the 3.5 kilometre impounded upstream stretch.

It is further recommended that a rock ramp fish pass be installed in the lowered weir to enable the free passage of migratory species.

The Munster Blackwater

The Munster Blackwater, 168 kilometres in length from source to sea, is one of Ireland’s most important salmon rivers.

The Blackwater catchment is designated as a special area of conservation and as such is regarded as important in both an Irish and European context. In common with other rivers, it has suffered a significant decline in its salmon stock.

The causes of this decline in salmon are complex and diverse, including oceanic changes, interceptory fisheries, pollution, habitat degradation and barriers to passage. This report deals with the latter two of these impacts.

In particular, the report concentrates on two major barriers to fish migration on the lower Blackwater, namely Clondulane and Fermoy weirs.

While the emphasis in this report will be on salmon passage, there are other migratory species of fish whose survival is also compromised by the existence of the barriers, including species that are protected under European Directive.

The report will also show that hydro-morphological change brought about by the weir impoundments in the lower Blackwater has a severe impact on the productivity of its freshwater habitat.

Migratory Fish in the River Blackwater

The main species of migratory fish in the Blackwater are Salmon, Sea Trout, Eels, Lamprey and Shad. The report also states; ‘The weir has not been used for the purposes it was constructed for a very long time.

The 1959 Fisheries Act, section 117, allows for the removal of a redundant weir if it obstructs directly or indirectly the free passage and migration of fish. As this weir appears to serve no useful purpose it is recommended that it be removed.’

Major changes to the weir in Fermoy will also be made to facilitate the freeflow of fish etc., rowers and river uses.

A spokesperson for FRAAG (Fermoy River Amenity Action Group), informed The Avondhu that they were delighted with the Department’s decision to remove the weir.

“The removal of the weir at Clondulane will be of great benefit to the people of the Blackwater Valley, The nature of the river will change and the river level between Clondulane and Fermoy will drop.

"It will mean that the river can be used by anglers as an amenity rather than a money making business. It will mean less emphasis on commercial angling and provide a more holistic benefit to anglers, rowers and for the public generally as an amenity”.

In the words of one local angler:

“Without doubt, changes must be made to the weirs to facilitate the safe passage of migratory fish. Clondulane weir has nothing to offer the river as a whole but to hold back flood waters in Fermoy and the deeps above it are of no use to spawning fish and for these reasons, it should be removed.

"However, by the total removal of this first barrier from the sea, Careysville, which is Ireland’s top salmon fishery, will be destroyed, as without this weir there is no reason for fish to hold there, which at present gives world class angling to the exclusive clientele who fish there.

"It is down to whether or not to give sport to the few as to the worth of this barrier (which is no longer used for the purpose for which it was originally built - the same agenda applies to Fermoy weir).

"One solution might be to also lower the height of the apron much as is proposed for Fermoy weir. Fermoy weir at present is a total disgrace, not only does it hold back flood water, the fish pass is blocked and the gravel build up below also impedes migrating fish.

"By lowering the apron height and putting in a proper fish pass, all of these problems will be solved. The rowing club will still have plenty of water for their sport, the lower water level will be beneficial in floods and an accurate fish counter will be a boon to river management.

"Whatever happens, there must be a bylaw put in place prohibiting angling from at least 100 metres below each weir”, he concluded.

No doubt there will be dissenters, however the report generally appears to have been well received and welcomed by most people with ‘river’ connections.