EEL PROTECTION SCHEME

River Blackwater (Langford)

The Eel Regulation Compliance project at the River Blackwater in Langford is for installation of eel friendly screening equipment at our abstraction point on the river. The work is driven by the need for Essex & Suffolk Water to comply with the Eels Regulations (2009) and will improve the biodiversity value in the River Blackwater.

Start Date

January, 2021

Estimated End Date

December, 2026

Contractor

ESW, Stonbury

Further information

Download PDF

Latest updates

By ESW Project Manager

9 July, 2024 at 12:24AM

Fish & Eel Pass Progress, July 24 The main construction works on the Fish & Eel Pass are complete, finishing touches like handrailing and a small debris deflector are needed before the structure can be put into use but there’s light at the end of the tunnel now. The progress photos show the structure with the eel pass on the right (looking uphill) which has had all the peg tiles installed and is now covered by a mesh walkway for maintenance access, and the fish pass on the left with the resting pool roughly halfway. Fencing, supporting gabion baskets of stone and soil backfill have all been completed recently along with the internal tiles on each pass.

By ESW Project Manager

23 May, 2024 at 4:44PM

Fish & Eel Pass Progress, May 24 Following the successful concrete pour and a spell of good weather, progress has been storming ahead! Gabions (wire baskets of stone) have been installed to support the banks and the areas behind the gabions have been backfilled with soil to bring back the original ground levels. The lower gabion on the southern side (nearest the bank) will also prevent pooling in what would otherwise be a ‘dead end’ for the fish and eels using the pass. Upcoming activities include filling the space between the gabion baskets at the lower end of the eel pass channel with stone. Looking further ahead, we will be installing the tiles designed to optimise the water flow characteristics in both channels to make passage up the pass as easy as possible for the different species.

By ESW Project Manager

15 May, 2024 at 4:59PM

April/May 2024 Progress Update (Fish & Eel Pass Concreting) Following the portadam issues in February the site was temporarily stood down awaiting more favourable conditions in which to attempt the final concrete pour. The project team reviewed weather reports and flow data on a weekly basis searching for a reducing trend that would indicate an opportunity to return to site. Remobilisation commenced towards the end of April, the portadam was reset and the working area drained down and preparations were made for the major concrete pour, cleaning down the structure and reinstalling the shuttering. The concreting was successfully completed last week so the main structure is finally taking shape!

By ESW Project Manager

21 February, 2024 at 4:01PM

FIsh & Eel Pass Progress Update Hi everyone, just a short update this week to let you know that works have slowed again due to the continuing heavy rainfall and the effects of high water in the river. Works had been going well and the concrete installation was almost complete with just one major concrete pour left to go. Unfortunately it’s just not possible to make progress in the current conditions and the portadam has been breached again (see photos). We’re monitoring river and rainfall data looking for the next opportunity to reset and pump out the dam so the remaining concreting can go ahead.

By ESW Project Manager

26 January, 2024 at 9:59AM

The site flooded again in December pushing progress back a little, but fantastic efforts again by the team in the new year have brought us to the point of completion of the steel framework, ready for a major concrete pour next week. Fingers crossed for good weather for the next few days!

By ESW Project Manager

13 December, 2023 at 4:11PM

7 Photos

The challenging weather has had few let ups in recent weeks which has pushed the lower portadam up to and beyond its limits on more than one occasion. The team on site have all worked so hard to achieve whatever progress they can through these very difficult conditions. It’s remarkable what has been accomplished already given the challenges, and we’re hoping to have another round of concreting completed at the lower end of the structure before the Christmas break. Let’s hope for some dry and stable weather into the New Year! The attached photographs show the various stages of progress from the last few weeks at each end of the installation, plus a snapshot of the flooded portadam this week.

View all updates