4. Lords Mill - fish pass scheme

Aims: Improve wildlife corridors; Manage flow

Water body: River Chess

Project description

Project to install a fish pass and repair the mill weir.

 Lords Mill is the oldest Mill on the River Chess, having been in existence since at least the 10th Century. Although the Mill was demolished in the 1980's, the weir structure remains.  Lord's Mill is located immediately upstream of the perennial head of the river (the point below which there is always flow).  The river upstream of the mill is vulnerable to drying up during severe drought and as a consequence has lost its fish population. With the weir presenting a significant obstruction to fish movement there is little chance that fish will be able to recolonise the headwaters of the Chess naturally.  

Recently, the condition of the weir has declined and Chiltern District Council, who own part of the structure are planning to repair the weir and at the same time, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, install a fish pass to enable fish such as brown trout to swim upstream into the headwaters of the River Chess.

 

Project lead: Chiltern District Council

Project partners: Environment Agency, Chiltern Chalk Streams Project

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Funding source: Chiltern District Council , Environment Agency