Historic man-made barriers in rivers can impede the migration and movements of fish. Removing such barriers or installing fish passes to enable fish migration is often a highly effective way of continuously contributing to healthy and diverse fish communities. Over recent years, we've been dedicated to finding solutions for one of the most significant barriers to fish passage in the area—the weirs at Dorchester-on-Thames, just upstream of the confluence with the Thames. This project presents considerable challenges, including flood risk, hydrology considerations, and access difficulties for construction equipment. Our project is not only about facilitating fish passage but also about maintaining the diverse flow patterns within the channels, including the historic Mill Stream, while fostering community engagement.

We're thrilled to share the significant progress we've made in recent months on this complex project. A concept design for a rock ramp fish pass and weir removal has been agreed upon, marking a significant step. This solution, which combines aesthetic appeal with technical feasibility, will modify the course of the Thame downstream from the weir pool. The constructed rock ramp will enable unimpeded fish migration while also maintaining flow levels in both the Mill Stream and the main Thame channel.

Importantly, through extensive modelling, we can demonstrate that our approach will not exacerbate current flood risk in the village and will offer some improvement to flood risk adjacent to the Mill Stream. The concept has been designed with concerns from the local community in mind and this will continue to be our approach throughout the process.

In February 2024, a new interpretation board was installed in the Hurst Water Meadow along the River Thame near the project site. Many thanks to the Hurst Water Meadow Trust and the FCC Communities Foundation for making the design and installation of these new boards possible.

In April and May 2024, we have had the opportunity to present the exciting project developments to the residents of Dorchester-on-Thames. Through a public event in the village hall and a focus group session, our team provided in-depth details about the project and its timeline, leading adiscussion and addressing questions from attendees. In June 2024, the planning application for the project was submitted and we are awaiting feedback.

If you're a local stakeholder interested in learning moreabout the project, please visit our website and explore our FAQ section on the Dorchester Fish Pass page. Feel free to reach out to us with any further questions or feedback—we're here to ensure transparency and collaboration every step of the way.

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