The River Nidd has turned chocolate brown amid fears for the lives of thousands of fish following an environmental ‘disaster’ over the weekend.

Several miles of the Nidd between Gouthwaite reservoir and Hampsthwaite have been affected.

It is believed safety work by Yorkshire Water at Gouthwaite reservoir, which is just north of Pateley Bridge, may have stirred up silt deposits.

A Yorkshire Water spokeswoman said:

“We’re working with the Environment Agency to investigate what’s caused the sediment in the River Nidd to be disturbed.

“We’ve temporarily suspended some work our capital partners Mott Macdonald Bentley were doing upstream at Gouthwaite reservoir while we investigate.”

The work at Gouthwaite dam

John Shillcock, an ecologist who is president of Nidderdale Angling Club, described the incident as an “environmental disaster”, the scale of which remained unclear. He added:

“It is impossible to know at this stage what the effect has been on the fish and invertebrates.

“There is no sign of rising or dead fish and it is not safe to wade to take invertebrate samples. There is no visibility to know where you are putting your feet.”

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He said Yorkshire Water was excavating a trench as part of a long-term project to install a siphon at Gouthwaite dam to enable it to rapidly reduce water levels in an emergency.

He added it appeared this had churned up 120 years of accumulated silt, which had flowed from the reservoir into the river via the discharge control valves.

Mr Shillcock said the angling club had asked to be kept informed about the works and it wanted to know whether an environmental assessment had been conducted to assess risks ahead of works of this magnitude.

He said the Nidd from the dam downstream was a lovely upland trout and grayling water.

The water, he added had been “crystal clear” and of such quality there had been no need to stock fish for the last three years.

These pictures taken yesterday show the colour of the water.

The Environment Agency is now carrying out two separate investigations following an oil spill in Sharow, near Ripon.

Last week, the agency announced that it would investigate the way in which soil and debris contaminated with heating oil was dumped on Back Lane.

Now, the clean-up operation is also being investigated, a week after 100 cubic metres of material was removed from the ancient thoroughfare.

James Thornborough, an international expert on oil spillages on land and water who lives in Sharow, told the Stray Ferret:

“Just about anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.”

He pointed out:

“People may look on this as an isolated incident in a small North Yorkshire village, but the ramifications are potentially enormous.”

Oil traces in standing water on Back Lane, Sharow (Photo: James Thornborough)

Mr Thornborough has advised some of the world’s largest oil companies on spills and incident management.

He, and environmental expert Simon Warwick who also lives in the village, witnessed and took photographs of contractors carrying out last Friday’s clean-up.

Mr Warwick, director of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, who was awarded an MBE for his outstanding work in nature conservation, said a branch from an ancient oak was damaged in the process. He added:

“We will discover over time what longer-term damage may have been caused to natural habitats by the oil that seeped into the lane and the hedgerow.”

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The contaminated soil and debris was originally dumped in Back Lane after being cleared from an adjacent property, where domestic heating oil had leaked from a large plastic tank.

Mr Thornborough said:

“It was not the fault of the property owners, who did all of the right things as soon as the leak was discovered.

“They were subsequently the victims of a botched clear-up.”

The Environment Agency previously told the Stray Ferret it was investigating the dumping of the contaminated soil to see whether any offences had been committed. It said it was seeking assurances from the company responsible that the situation would be put right as quickly as possible.

However, after further damage was done while the material was removed from Back Lane, Mr Thornborough said he had brought the situation to the attention of the Environment Agency’s chief executive, Sir James Bevan, adding:

“I believe that there are lessons to be learned all around – particularly the need for people with outside oil tanks for domestic heating to have them checked on a regular basis.

“If you consider the potential for a spillage like this to occur many times across the Harrogate district, the incident and the way it was handled takes on a different perspective.”

Oliver Harmar, EA area director for Yorkshire, responded to Mr Thornborough and said:

“I have asked Martin Christmas (area environment manager) to lead on this investigation and you will hear from him shortly.

“Be assured that we are taking this seriously.”   

The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for a caravan park in Boroughbridge this evening.   The agency says it is watching levels of the River Ure carefully and warned the Roecliffe Caravan Park area is most at risk.

On its website the agency said drivers should avoid low lying roads close to river:

The flood warnings come after relentless rain.  A Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice continues to be in place for the Harrogate district tonight and tomorrow.

Temperatures are set to fall over the next 24 hours with heavy snow in parts of the UK as the country experiences some of the coldest weather since the “Beast from the East” in 2018.  The weather front which has been name Storm Darcy has been dubbed “The Beast from the East 2”.

It may be that the district avoids the worst of the beast which is forecast to be more severe in the south and east of England.

Temperatures though are not expected to rise above zero degrees celsius in the district for much of tomorrow with snow showers expected.

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Continuing snow showers over the next 48 hours and freezing temperatures may mean traffic disruption on Monday morning.

For full information on school closures and traffic disruption make sure you follow the Stray Ferret – we’ll have regular updates from early Monday morning if the storm affects us. 

The Environment Agency (EA) is investigating contractors who dumped contaminated material on an ancient lane in Sharow near Ripon.

Approximately 100 cubic metres of soil and debris soaked with domestic heating oil, remains in Back Lane at its junction with New Road.

David and Lynda Lees, who are in their seventies, were the victims of botched clearance work after a 25-year-old plastic storage tank developed a leak that saturated their back garden.

David Lees

Mr Lees, who worked for many years in the construction industry before his retirement, told the Stray Ferret:

“The contractors were appointed by our insurance company, after we put in a claim.

“Following the work in our back garden I realised what had been done with the soil and other material that had been cleared.

“I did everything I could to get the mess sorted out, making phone calls and sending numerous emails, but felt I was getting nowhere.”

Mr and Mrs Lees have received powerful support from fellow villagers, including James Thornborough, an international expert in oil spills on land and water and Simon Warwick, director of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, who has advised some of the world’s leading oil companies.

Between them, the two men with their specialist knowledge, contacted all relevant bodies, from the EA to Sharow Parish Council and their intervention brought action.

Mr Thornborough said:

“Because of its pervasive nature, all oil spillages need to be taken seriously and handled carefully, particularly in a situation like this, when a large quantity of heating oil has seeped over time into soil.

“The subsequent dumping of this contaminated material on a public thoroughfare that has been in use since medieval times, is unforgiveable.”

“Back Lane is open to the public who, by simply walking along it, can unwittingly spread the contamination to other parts of the village, their own homes and anywhere else they go.”

Mr Warwick, who received an MBE for his outstanding work as a conservationist, added:

“The consequences of this dumping and piling up against a heritage hedgerow are serious for birds, mammals and other land-based creatures, as well as aquatic animals.

“I have seen that oil has been washed into water courses via the rainwater drains  and this will ultimately affect aquatic animals and the food chain.”

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A spokesman for the Environment Agency said it had responded swiftly:

“The soils should not have been left in the lane and we are investigating to determine if any environmental offences have been committed.

“We are also seeking assurances from the company responsible that the soils will be removed as soon as possible and any subsequent remediation work that may be required is carried out quickly.”

Two fresh flood alerts have been issued for the River Nidd this evening.

It means there are now three flood alerts and one more serious flood warning in force for the Harrogate district, with further rainfall expected.

The Environment Agency issued an alert for the middle Nidd catchment at 6.47pm tonight, affecting land around the river and tributaries including Thornton Beck, Newton Beck, Oak Beck, Cow Dyke Beck, Bilton Beck, Frogmire Dike and Syke Dike.

Minutes later at 6.54pm another flood warning was issued for the lower Nidd catchment, affecting land around the river and its tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter. The alerts said:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today, Tuesday.

“The river has risen in response to recent rainfall, and with persistent and heavy rain forecast to continue through until Thursday we expect river levels to remain high and could rise further.

“Please avoid low-lying land and footpaths near local watercourses.”

A flood warning for the Nidd at Low Laithe between Dacre Banks and Glasshouses was issued this afternoon.

It remains active, as does a flood alert for for the upper Nidd around Wath and Lofthouse, just north of Pateley Bridge.

If flooding affects your area please let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

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Residents in areas prone to flooding across the Harrogate district have been urged to be ready for rising waters this week.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for residents around the lower River Nidd today, as snow further up the river melts rapidly.

Areas around Cattal, Tockwith and Kirk Hammerton could all be affected as water levels rise today.

The warning says roads and farmland could be flooded as the river reaches its peak, along with tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter. The warning says river levels in the upper catchment have already peaked.

The Environment Agency said:

“Please be aware that further rain is forecast from Tuesday, January 19. We are closely monitoring the situation and our incident response staff are checking defences. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings of heavy rain across North Yorkshire. Coming into effect from the early hours of Tuesday morning and lasting until Thursday, they warn of fast-flowing, deep floodwater which could pose a danger to lives.

Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings, and some communities could be cut off. Power cuts, road closures and disruption to public transport are also likely, the Met Office said.

Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Masham have all been hit by flooding today — and alerts remain in place.

Parts of Knaresborough close to the River Nidd appear to have been the worst affected.

An Environment Agency spokesman said there were no confirmed cases of people having to leave their homes.

However, Andrew Weatherhead, owner of Weatherhead Butchers in Pateley Bridge worked through the night unblocking drains and mopping two inches of water from his High Street shop.

Mr Weatherhead, whose shop opened as usual this morning, told the Stray Ferret he planned to buy some flood gates to prevent further problems.

Mr Weatherhead, who finally got home at 3am only to be woken by his house alarm going off at 5.30am, said the town’s river flood defences worked well but added:

“I think there is something wrong with the state of the drains. So many are blocked. We had to unblock them with shovels and sticks and when we did the water went down quickly.”

No other shops in Pateley are believed to have been affected.

Cars moved

Vast swathes of Knaresborough were under water this morning. The area near the Vantage Toyota dealership, close to the River Nidd, was particularly bad.

Kyley Price, a medical administrator who lives in the area, said:

“We are surrounded by water but I’m hoping it wont be too bad. Just the usual clean up to come.

“We got a warning at 5.30 this morning so moved cars etc. We are now just sitting watching TV and waiting.”

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Ms Price questioned the effectiveness of the flood prevention measures in the area:

“The water rises and fills the surrounding flood plane and fields faster than ever.”

Ure rising in Ripon

A flood warning remains in place in Ripon for Ure bank and the racecourse.

The government’s flood information service posted at 11.28am today:

“The level of the River Ure at Ripon Ure bank is 3.44m and rising. We expect river levels to continue rising with peak levels expected around 3.61m this afternoon.

“Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.”

The water is rising in Ripon.

Many rural roads, including the bridge at Masham, were treacherous this morning.

The forecast is improving but a flood alert is in place for the upper Nidd. The flood information service said at 11.28am:

“Further rainfall is expected on Monday, and river levels will fluctuate through the day. Flooding of low-lying land, roads and footpaths remains possible.”

Sightings of an otter in Ripon Canal, have provided a silver lining to a lockdown summer overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. The animal recently featured on social media and recorded at play in the canal.

Jonny Hart-Woods, the Canal and River Trust’s senior environmental specialist for Yorkshire and the North East, told the Stray Ferret:

“The great news is that improvements in water quality brought about by environmental legislation, have seen increased fish stocks and when the right conditions come together wildlife will return.”

Sightings remain rare, but Mr Hart-Woods pointed out:

For the European otter, the dish of choice for most days is salmon or sea trout and the rivers and canals, where these fish are in plentiful supply,  provide the ideal habitat for this large top of the food chain predator.

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In addition to water quality improvements, the work of the Canal and River Trust in maintaining bankside trees and bushes and looking after adjacent wetland areas, has created an environment that has attracted birds and other creatures that feature in a hungry otter’s daily diet.

Sadly the otters are also vulnerable to being killed by cars with one recently killed on the Boroughbridge road.

Mr Hart-Woods said:

“Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for otters to be killed or injured while crossing a road. While it is sad, people who are thrilled by the thought of one day seeing these incredible creatures, can take heart in the knowledge that the otter population in the river Ure catchment is increasing.”