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21
Sept
Environment Agency gives update on River Nidd pollution
The Environment Agency has said there are “no reports of distressed fish” in the River Nidd after the dam wall at Glasshouses Mill collapsed yesterday.
The Stray Ferret reported this morning concerns for the state of the river after the wall was breached, leading to water containing brown sediment and rubble flowing into the river.
Anglers shut off the flow of the river into a nearby trout farm to protect the fish and informed the agency, which is the government body responsible for tackling pollution, of the situation.
After staff visited the site, near Pateley Bridge, this morning, an agency spokesperson said:
Following reports of a breach in the wall of Glasshouse Mill dam and water discolouration into the River Nidd, our environment officers have today attended the site and local area.
Whilst discolouration is still visible in the River Nidd, our assessments show the discharge has now stopped and is consistent with having come from the initial breach and silt release.
Water levels in the mill pond have dropped, however there are no reports of distressed fish. We will continue to monitor this and work with the owners of the site going forward.
The breached dam wall
David Tetley, president of Nidderdale Angling Club, visited the dam and spoke toagency official this morning. He told the Stray Ferret the gap was about five metres wide.
He said the biggest concern was that contaminated soil could enter the river and possibly effect the ecology. Mr Tetley added:
Depending on the type of soil, silt and sand it can settle on the riverbed and effect the breeding of insect life and possibly the spawning of fish and development of insects but it is early yet to know if this will occur. It is possible that the silt will wash through and disperse without causing an issue.
We will continue to monitor the river ecology which we hope has not been detrimentally affected.
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