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PM 26 - Remove barriers for fish migration

Code
PM 26
Measure
Remove barriers for fish migration
Description
Artificial obstacles in watercourses such as weirs, dams or culverts, restrict the movement of fish up and downstream, and can prevent access to important spawning and feeding areas, thus having a significant negative effect on fish populations. Removal or alteration of these barriers to allow fish migration will support these species and ecological functioning of watercourses. However, this needs to be done with consideration for the presence of native White-clawed Crayfish which can be threatened by removal of structures which may be acting as barrier to the spread of Signal Crayfish to certain stretches of watercourses.
Wider environmental benefits
Improving water quality, Reducing climate change impact, Supporting food provision
Links to additional information and guidance

https://www.ecrr.org/River-Restoration/Flood-risk-management/Healthy-Catchments-managing-for-flood-risk-WFD/Environmental-improvements-case-studies/Remove-or-modify-structures

Priority
Natural hydrological functions are restored at a catchment scale
Priority description
Restoration at a catchment scale is particularly important for rivers, water and wetland habitats as these should function together in a connected hydrological network. This would bring about the most significant impacts for biodiversity, water quality, and hydrological regime. Herefordshire’s rivers and wetlands cover a significant proportion of the county and require restoring at this catchment scale to create a resilient and thriving freshwater system. While the whole catchment needs to be looked at, restoration of natural hydrological functions of headwater streams are often shown to have significant impacts downstream.
Mapped

LNRS map