Yorkshire Derwent Fish Passage Issues The Derwent catchments’ are the head and is designated as largest in Yorkshire comprising of 2,057 a SSSI also. square kilometers. Starting at 853 feet The Derwent is a registered SSSI from above sea level entering the tidal Ouse at the confluence of the Rye / Derwent, and is Internal drainage boards 33 feet above sea level, a total length of 72 at this moment in an unfavorable condition, Thornton miles long. At this point the water quality is and has designation under Natura 2000. Rye A1 potable; the water abstraction point up Sites of Special Scientific Interest Foss stream at Loftsome Bridge provides (SSSI’s) Wilberfoss & Thornton drinking water to 4.5 million customers. Ouse& Derwent High lighted in the Water Framework SSSI’s – River Derwent, Derwent Ings, Muston &Yedingham Directive there area total of 51 Water Bodies Breighton Meadows, Common, Lower Ouse (W.B.) on the River Rye and 46 on the River Melbourne and Thornton Ings, Derwent a total of 97 unique W.B’S. Canal, Newton Mask, Kirkham Park and A report presented by Julian Rudd to identified within the document. Riverside, Jeffrey Bog, Ellers Wood and Ryedale District Council 9/6/2010 gives Fish passage has to some degree been Sand Dale, Raincliffe and Forge Valley. figures to show that the wages in Ryedale addressed on the weirs at Sutton, Stamford are lower than the National average but Bridge, Buttercrambe, Howsham and SAC’s – River Derwent, Skipwith Common, attainment from the schools is very high. Kirkham. The only barrier to fish migration Lower Derwent Valley, Ellers Wood and The average earnings are the lowest in is Bramby Barrage where there is no fish Sand Dale, North Moors. and unemployment is the pass other than a lamprey ramp installed in second highest in the county. The brain 2010. The other barrier to up stream SPA’s – Lower Derwent Valley, North York drain from Ryedale is something that the migration which is high lighted on the Moors. report states must be addressed. barrier list is Nunnington weir. There is a report commissioned and The Derwent is one of the few Ramsar sites – Lower Derwent Valley undertaken by Royal Haskoning examining undisturbed lowland rivers left in . the actions required to bring the river back There are over 40 Sites of Special Scientific As well as the river flowing through to “favourable status” entitled “Restoring the Interest (SSSI’s) , two national nature AONB The Howardian Hills. Yorkshire Derwent”. One of many reserves, and an area of Outstanding The area of moor land where the head recommendations from the report which is National Beauty. The lower part of the waters rise is within the area that is also highlighted in the WFD documents (GB Derwent from the Rye confluence to managed by the North York Moors National 104027068311) is to address” structures or Barmby is in its entirety a SSSI. The Park. other mechanisms in place and managed to 1000acre Wheldrake ings has been enable fish to access waters upstream and designated as a Special Protection Area for Local Authorities/Stake holders downstream of the impounding works” wild birds (SPA). The 7 mile long North Yorkshire County council The species benefiting from addressed that runs between canal County Council fish pass issues would be the species that Ryedale District Council the river was designated for River and Sea District Council Lamprey as well as addressing Habitats Hambleton Directive species Salmon and Trout. The benefit to the local economy of East Yorks having a Salmon and Sea Trout fishery is Scarborough considerable to the receiving economy. The Salmon and Trout Association figures for the British Waterways trickle down fiscal effect to the local Yorkshire Wildlife Trust economy is up to £2,500 per fish. The river RSPB Esk which is Yorkshires’ only Salmon Action Angling Clubs Plan river is achieving its SAP and producing 200 Salmon and 600 Sea Trout per year with a total river length of 28 miles. The length of the Derwent is 72 miles and originates within the NYMNP as does the river Esk. The potential production of the river Derwent in comparison with the Esk could be a rod catch of 500 Salmon and 1400 Sea Trout. This could provide £12.5 million to the Ryedale / Yorkshire economy.

John Shannon