With only days to go before the beginning of the new season, most anglers will be thinking about the tackle bag, as well as checking their waders for leaks!   The feeling of excitement when arriving at the river for the first time in the new season can very quickly turn to a “shrinking feeling”, as freezing water pour through perforations in the boots, flooding area’s intended to be kept dry.

Now, speaking of water reaching unintended areas!  One of the biggest threats to the river, at least I would think in the mid and long term, is that of “Water Abstraction” [WA].  Before listening to any argument for or against what we have to remember here, is the fact that – “No salmon river has ever benefited from prolonged water abstraction”, but to quote the former owner of Knockando Estate [Sir David Wills], “A great many have been destroyed by water abstraction”. 

At a recent meeting, Spey Biologist, Mr Bob Laughton, explained to the group of Ghillies that fish not only adapt to a particular burn, but in all probability, to a particular “part” of that burn.  A statement backed by scientific data. If this is indeed the case, and levels of flow in a particular burn were to change quickly and dramatically, in all probability, native fish would find it difficult to quickly adapt.   So a thriving community may suddenly find itself on the brink of extinction, all because someone decided to “turn off the tap”! 

The facts are – The River Spey has three major abstractions of water. British Alcan [Spey Dam] channel water, which would otherwise end up in the Spey system, towards their aluminium plant in Fort William.  This dam has existed since the mid 1940s and is now known to have had an impact on the river’s ecology as far as 40 miles downstream of the dam, not to mention the loss of natural spawning above the dam.  The second - Is the series of tunnels diverting water to be used by Scottish and Southern to generate electricity.  Again, this is situated in the upper part of the river and has been around since the late 1940s.  The third – Are a series of boreholes situated in the gravel beds of Lower River near Fochabers.  This site itself accounts for 27 million cubic meters of water abstracted every day, which, it has to be said, is only a fraction of the total flow of the river.  The fact that this is situated near the mouth of the river means less ecological impact. The ecological impact of the others is far greater.

So why all the fuss about water abstraction?  Well, Scottish Water has new plans!  The latest thinking is that they will pump water from boreholes at the head of the river.  This extra water is needed to service new housing in the Spey valley, predominantly in the Aviemore area.  The cost of this new operation is estimated to be in the region of £15 million [Excluding pumping]. Fixing leaks in the existing supply would provide an excess of water and have relatively little environmental impact, but would cost an estimated £27 million!!  There is no doubt they need the water, and as with all these things, environmental impacts must be properly assessed against socio/economic benefits.  No matter how anyone tries to gloss it over, new boreholes in this area will impact on the salmon’s ability to spawn there, causing a knock on effect all the way down the river.  The potential extraction of 40 million litres per day from this part of the river, from the point of view of the “fishery”, beggars belief! Especially when the river is afforded so much legal protection!! 

An independent environmental impact study carried out by The Spey Fishery Board [SFB] concluded - Such an operation in the upper part of the river would have a significant effect on water-flow in that area! 

We have the scientific data proving this is detrimental to salmon.  We know salmon are protected under the Habitats Directive. So ultimately it comes down to what is deemed more important. Also WHO deems it more important!

This battle is not about salmon or protecting the river!  It is down to the “auld enemy” cold cash!!  Fixing leaks on existing pipes would cost nearly double that of sinking new boreholes, but with far less an environmental impact.  Salmon fishing is now worth in the region of £13 million per annum to the Speyside economy.  My guess will be that Scottish Water will win the battle, with the backing of both SEPA and Scottish Natural Heritage [SNH].  By doing so, they will be showing their “true colours”!!

Looking forward to the new season – We have had a very cold winter with water levels low due to prolonged ice.  This will have had a negative effect on river banks, in lots of cases, causing undermining as well as making them unstable.  I would urge anglers visiting the river in the spring to be cautious when walking on banks adjacent to deep water. 

Although we have been very cold, as yet, 5th Jan, we have not had too much snow. This I’m sure will change during the rest of the month and into February, hopefully leaving hard packed snow to filter slowly into the river during April and May. 

For more information about Water Abstraction as well as Fishing Availability please contact me at the address here.
 
Remember, a damp feeling between your legs can only mean two things - Remember to check your waders!! 

Ian Gordon
Speycaster