River Leith Restoration

The River Leith was once one of the most important salmonid tributaries in the Eden catchment which is both a SSSI and a Sac. The river has been heavily affected by silt from the hanson operations, however, this problem has now been solved using a series of settlement ponds. The gravel beds appear to remain concreted by the silt making it impossible for fish to spawn. There is also a man made barrier which prevents recolonisation of the river by fish from downstream which would otherwise break up concreted gravel. The project will provide a fish pass in the barrier, attempt to create artificial spawning locations for fish and repair natural concreted gravel beds. The project will improve the riparian corridor through fencing, coppicing and planting