14. Lower Mill Farm weir

Aim: Manage flow

Water body: River Colne

Project description

The weir structure at Lower Mill farm was the first impassable barrier to many fish entering the Colne system from the Thames.

The weir was too steep for fish to pass.  In partnership with the Environment Agency, Groundwork South carried out work to improve fish passage.  This project forms part of the Heritage Lottery Fund landscape partnership project.  The weir was re-graded to a more gradual slope, and a series of baffles were placed on the re-graded slope as a form of fish easement.

The baffles are unique in this structure, as they are made from stone and block work of stones that would naturally occur in this catchment, instead of the usual recycled plastic.

This weir adaption, now connects the downstream reach of the Colne with an extra 1.5km of river habitat and will improve 250 metres of impounded habitat.

More information on the Heritage Lottery Fund landscape partnership project is available here. 

Project lead: Groundwork South

Project partners: Environment Agency

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Funding source: Heritage Lottery Fund , Grundon Landfill Community Fund , Environment Agency