River Restoration

ChalkStream® is helping to extend the Upper Itchen Wild Fisheries Protection Zone by supporting the conversion of 1.3km of the River Itchen and 0.5km of the Elm Carrier to wild fishing. As a result, the Wild Fisheries Protection Zone now extends to over 90% of the Upper Itchen (upstream of Winchester).

Wild fishing requires a low impact approach to river management and the wilder more naturally vegetated margins, submerged woody debris and more dynamic flows supports both the wild trout population and the overall biodiversity of the chalk stream. The improved weed growth, wilder margins and extended tree cover not only support the fly life wild trout feed on but they extend the cover needed to reduce predation from cormorants and herons.

The improving the movement of wild fish up and down the river is a critical element to supporting the population and works have been completed on the entrance of the Elm Carrier to create a fast flowing flume. The weir towards the top of the fishery is difficult for small fish and eel to get over and the Elm Carrier provides a natural bi-pass. Increasing the flow at the mouth of the carrier will attract wild fish to migrate upstream and avoid the weir.

There are detailed plans to relocate the weir on the lower part of the fishery to a position further upstream, allowing the restoration of 200m of the most  degraded section of the fishery. The new weir will  include an eel pass and fish passage notch. As part of the plans there will be a pump scheme to help maintain the river levels during drought conditions.

If you are interested to know more about wild fishing on the Upper Itchen you can email  here for more information.