Trout in the Classroom
The scheme is designed to get children more involved with their water environments in a very ‘hands on’ way by installing tanks containing fish eggs into schools around the catchment. The idea is for the children to rear the eggs to fry, which can then be released into a nearby stream increasing the indigenous population of trout (the eggs are sourced from local fish). The first tank was installed in Horton-in-Ribblesdale primary school in 2006 and was a great success, the fry being released into the stream in early 2007. There are currently 7 local schools taking part in the scheme including;
- Thorneyholme R.C. Primary School, Dunsop Bridge
- Chatburn C.E. Primary School
- Ribchester St Wilfreds C.E. Primary School
- Longridge C.E. Primary School
- Pendle Primary School, Clitheroe
- Edisford Primary School, Clitheroe
- Whalley C.E. Primary School
The Trust is grateful for the support of the Environment Agency, Ribble Valley Borough Council, the Green Partnership and Dr R. Broughton in the funding and running of the scheme.
Offstream Channels
The purpose of constructing off-stream channels is to encourage spawning potential in an attempt to increase juvenile survival of salmonids in the Ribble catchment. The Trust has so far constructed several off-stream channels around the catchment including;
- Boyces Brook, Ribchester
- Stock Beck
- Langden
- Sabden Brook
- Dunsop
- Ings Beck
The off-stream channels are dug out from an access point upstream at a specific angle in order to control the speed and quantity of flow through both the off-stream and the main channels. The spawning channel then rejoins the main stream further down at a narrow angle so as to reduce the risk of erosion. A typical off-stream channel may be up to 200m in length and up to 1.5m wide. Large stones are placed at intervals along the channel to create a pool and riffle sequence, and gravel is added to the stream bed in order to provide optimum spawning conditions for salmonids.
Boyces Brook – before and after
Dunsop off-stream channel containing salmonids
