Lincomb Fish Pass is the project’s most northerly fish pass. As a result it is the final fish pass out of the 4 that shad can pass through on their way upstream. From here, fish can now swim freely up river to the gravel beds that are ideal for spawning. Lincomb Fish Pass is located at the weir just downstream of Stourport-on-Severn.
Like the fish passes at Diglis and Holt, Lincomb is a deep vertical slot fish pass. It is formed of a series of 11 ascending pools. Deep vertical slot fish passes like Lincomb work well in the wide range of flow conditions experienced on the River Severn. They are suitable for a range of fish species with slightly different needs and preferences for how they swim through a pass.
Construction began in March 2020 and works were completed in June 2021, just over 1 month after Diglis Fish Pass was completed.
Following the 2022 Shad Run – the migration of the endangered twaite shad fish up the River Severn – our scientific monitoring results proved that shad had once more reclaimed their historic spawning habitats.
eDNA results collected in Stourport proved that shad had navigated this final fish pass during the 2022 migration season. The project is thrilled to be able to report such a success in the first year that all 4 fish passes were open to the river. After a gap of nearly 180 years, it is very exciting to have evidence of these fish journeying to key spawning habitats once more.
In this short film, project manager for Keir, Stacey Corcoran, shares her experiences on this exciting project. She reflects upon the challenges of building a fish pass in a pandemic, the excitement and pride from her team when the pass was completed, and tells a delightful anecdote about an eager shoal of fish!
This animation was created using computer generated imagery of the deep vertical slot fish pass alongside Lincomb Weir on the River Severn just south of Stourport. The short film explains how this fish pass works and how fish, including the endangered twaite shad use the fish pass to find a route past the weir and return to their historic spawning grounds.
Images: Skynique
Worcester is a key location for Unlocking the Severn.
Two of the River Severn fish passes will be constructed here.
At Diglis – engineers will install a deep vertical slot fish pass next to the weir.
This fish pass will also include an innovative underwater viewing gallery for monitoring the fish and providing a whole new perspective on life beneath the water.
We are also restoring a Victorian workshop on Diglis Island to provide a place for learning and exhibitions.
At Bevere – a 100m bypass-channel will be introduced with blocks and a shallow enough gradient for shad to swim around the weir.
Coming Up:
– Our next information event on Diglis Island – due to take place in July – details to be confirmed nearer the time.
– Exhibitions and activities will take place at The Hive – including children’s activities during Easter holidays and a photography exhibition in August 2019
– Places of Poetry workshops in July 2019.
View of Worcester from Diglis Island
Tewkesbury is an important location for monitoring shad as the Upper Lode Weir on the Severn Ham, is the only place on the River Severn you can easily observe shad, as they swim over a notch in the weir.
You can join our people-powered science project at the riverside in May. Find Out More
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