Island Barn Sluice and the surrounding river

For all the options, we would replace the gates at Island Barn Sluice. Retaining the water level at Island Barn by replacing the sluice gates will ensure that the river continues to flow down the Old Mole and Ember Loop. Our refurbishment works would include improvements to fish passage through the Old Mole channel via Zenith and Wilderness sluices. This should increase the diversity of fish present within the Old Mole and River Ember.

Removing the sluice gates at Island Barn would significantly reduce the water levels and stop the river entering the Old Mole and Ember Loop. The reduction of water in both of these channels would harm the plants and habitat and cause a significant visual change. Therefore, all the options retain the current water levels.

Option Purple

We would only carry out reactive maintenance and repairs as the structures gradually fail, and also allow for fish passes to be added in the future. There would be similar levels of plant and animal habitat along and in the river. The water levels would remain similar to the current situation. 

Option Red

All gates will be replaced with new gates, with the intention to automate their operation. This will not result in any changes to the water level upstream of the structure.

Option Blue

All gates would be replaced with new ones with the intention to automate their operation. There would be no change in water level upstream of the structure.

Option Pink

All existing gates will be replaced with new ones, with the intention to automate their operation. There will be no change in water level upstream of structure.

Option Orange (national economically preferred option)

All gates would be replaced with new gates, with the intention to automate their operation. There would be no change in water level upstream of structure.


For all the options, we would replace the gates at Island Barn Sluice. Retaining the water level at Island Barn by replacing the sluice gates will ensure that the river continues to flow down the Old Mole and Ember Loop. Our refurbishment works would include improvements to fish passage through the Old Mole channel via Zenith and Wilderness sluices. This should increase the diversity of fish present within the Old Mole and River Ember.

Removing the sluice gates at Island Barn would significantly reduce the water levels and stop the river entering the Old Mole and Ember Loop. The reduction of water in both of these channels would harm the plants and habitat and cause a significant visual change. Therefore, all the options retain the current water levels.

Option Purple

We would only carry out reactive maintenance and repairs as the structures gradually fail, and also allow for fish passes to be added in the future. There would be similar levels of plant and animal habitat along and in the river. The water levels would remain similar to the current situation. 

Option Red

All gates will be replaced with new gates, with the intention to automate their operation. This will not result in any changes to the water level upstream of the structure.

Option Blue

All gates would be replaced with new ones with the intention to automate their operation. There would be no change in water level upstream of the structure.

Option Pink

All existing gates will be replaced with new ones, with the intention to automate their operation. There will be no change in water level upstream of structure.

Option Orange (national economically preferred option)

All gates would be replaced with new gates, with the intention to automate their operation. There would be no change in water level upstream of structure.


Page published: 15 Aug 2024, 09:30 AM