Projects
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PROJECTS : Lowerymore

The falls lie close to a realigned main road, and there is a public amenity area at the site. The hydro scheme includes a fish-pass and integrates with visitor participation. Previously the cost of building a fish pass had been prohibitive, however combining it with the hydro plant made it viable.

The fish-pass comprises a large pipeline linking the river above the falls with that below. The pipeline is periodically filled and emptied. As it fills, fish attracted into its lower intake chamber are carried up until they reach the upper river level whereupon they leave the pass and swim upriver. The pass then empties and the cycle repeats.

Fish-pass gate and screen at Lowerymore

The cycle takes about three hours based on experience at previous schemes. The proportion of time for each operation throughout a cycle would be as follows:

• An hour 'fishing' where fish may enter the lower chamber from the river.
• Half an hour filling, while the pipe fills with water.
• An hour and a half full, when fish may leave the pass.
• Ten minutes emptying.

The pass allows fish to climb the falls and spawn upstream, thus in time greatly increasing numbers.