Catrine Dam. A Communities Approach to Hydro Development. Stuart Brabbs

Catrine Dam

A Communities Approach to

Hydro Development

Renewable Energy, Community benefit, Regeneration, Tourism, Employment, Environmental benefit……….

DOES THE VISION MATCH REALITY?

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CATRINE DAM

Built around 1802 to provide hydro power to a cotton mill

David Dale established a model community similar to that at New Lanark.

In 1828, two water wheels were installed, the largest in Scotland

Catrine’s population soared to 1600 as the Mill thrived

Salmon access was prevented to the upper Ayr

The Ayr became so polluted that salmon were almost absent from the catchment (due to the 32 mills existing along its length and the extensive coal mining industry)

THROUGH THE YEARS

Catrine Mill’s survived difficult times during both World Wars until eventually the two giant water wheels were scrapped in 1947. Modern turbines were installed to power a new mill built in 1952. This mill struggled to survive eventually closing in the 1980’s. The only other major source of employment in Catrine was coal mining and this industry also collapsed in the 80’s.

Catrine became an unemployment black spot in Ayrshire and continues to suffer high levels of unemployment and social deprivation.

Despite substantial deterioration, the dam remained as testimony to a rich industrial past.

Catrine became a notorious poaching hotspot

In 2005 Catrine Community Trust was founded to address many social problems within the village.Their vision to recreate a thriving community relied on investment and promotion of their

Heritage Environment Innovation & sustainable development

Key aspirations included restoration of the weir (a Scheduled Ancient Monument at risk of collapse), the Voes and to develop sustainable income to run Community Education & Visitor Interpretation Centre and support local projects

To achieve this, Catrine Environmental Heritage Partnership was formed (CHEP)(A formal partnership between the East Ayrshire Council and the Community Trust)

The River was the key to past and future prosperity

The weir was central to their plans and due to its Scheduled Ancient Monument Status, this enabled CCT to attract substantial investment.

FundingCCT have been highly effective in securing large awards from

funders such as Heritage Lottery, Big Lottery, Leader, Rural Priorities, Rural Communities Fund, SRDP, People’s Millions, SNH, Community Justice Fund, East Ayrshire Council Grant,

SIS Loan, Minerals Trust, Climate Challenge Fund, etc etc

Problems for migratory fish

3 x 2m drops over a distance of approximately 110m

Poorly designed fish pass that is the target of poachers (location, volume and turbulence + others)

2 Deep holding pools that can hold 100’s of salmon until flow conditions allow upstream migration

CAR License obtained to abstract 4 cumecs per second for hydro generation

800m depleted stretch between penstock and tail race

Consultation process commenced in 2007

Repeated changes in consultants (7 in total?)

ART raised concerns over lack of detail in proposals

ART/DSFB/Consultants advice ignored

Designs supported by DSFB were shelved

Inadequate funding allocated to fish pass improvements

Reluctance to include Anderson’s Pool improvements

Proposals agreed in principle, work commenced in 2014

Low flows prevailed… thankfully

A building site within a river

The herons cleaned up

Repeated pollution for 3 weeks before this was addressed

2 miles downstream. Clubs threatening Legal action

No provision made for the fish, ART intervened

3 fish rescues were required; the contractor became proactive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpIQWjcza2Y

Weir completed

Andersons modified

Fish pass improved?

Fish pass entrance in high flow

Migrating fish can’t find the entrance in high water

Work yet to be completed at weir

Smolt screensFish counterSmolt trap bell mouth entrance requires completionSmolt trapping as a monitoring requirement in 2014 looking doubtfulFurther modifications to improve access to fish passExtending side walls to prevent inundationEel pass to be completed

Elsewhere

Turbine installationGrid capacity for planned output is unavailableTailrace screens

DOES THE VISION MATCH REALITY?….will it ever?

ART continue to seek improvements.

Thank you for listening

Stuart BrabbsAyrshire Rivers Trust1 Gibbs Yard AuchincruiveAyr KA6 5HWTel: 01292 737300