Reduce changes in the water level and increase habitat by building two rock ramps - Option Pink


A map of the scheme for this option.

We will keep the gates at Island Barn. We will also remove the gates at Molember and Viaduct and build new rock ramps upstream of both structures. There could be small increases to plant and animal habitat along and in the river.

We would replace the gates at Island Barn with the intention to automate their operation. The gates at Molember would be removed with a rock ramp weir built upstream. The gates at Viaduct would be removed with a rock ramp fish pass installed within the structure. In addition, a new rock ramp built upstream within the River Ember upstream of the offtake for the Royal Mills channel. The gates at Zenith, Wilderness and Royal Mills would be removed and rock ramp fish passes installed on the existing structures at Zenith and Wilderness. There would be localised infilling of the channel upstream of the structure at Royal Mills to remove any low areas in this section of the river. This option offers a reduction in the number of gates at both Molember Sluice and Viaduct Sluice, but also provides passive solutions to retain water levels above the level that would occur without mitigation.

Further information on specific locations and assets:

Molember Sluice

All gates would be removed, but the concrete piers will remain in place. Instead, a rock ramp weir would be provided upstream. This change would result in a reduction of 1.2m in water level upstream of the new rock ramp structure when compared to the present situation.

Island Barn Sluice

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

Viaduct Sluice

All the existing gates would be removed, and a new rock ramp fish pass would be installed within the structure whilst retaining the existing concrete piers and bridge.

A new rock ramp weir would be constructed within the River Ember upstream of the Royal Mills channel offtake which would result in a 1.6m reduction in water levels upstream of the rock ramp when compared to the present-day situation.

Zenith Sluice

All of the existing gates, electrical equipment and the walkway would be removed. A new rock ramp fish pass would be installed on the existing structure. There would be no change in water level upstream of the structure.

Wilderness Sluice

All of the existing gates and electrical equipment would be removed. A new rock ramp fish pass would be installed on the existing structure. There would be no change in water level upstream of the structure.

Royal Mills Sluice

The existing gate would be removed and the channel upstream of the structure locally infilled to remove any low spots along the riverbed. The removal of gates at Viaduct Sluice will result in the channel upstream of Royal Mills running dry under normal flow conditions.

Water level graph for this option




A map of the scheme for this option.

We will keep the gates at Island Barn. We will also remove the gates at Molember and Viaduct and build new rock ramps upstream of both structures. There could be small increases to plant and animal habitat along and in the river.

We would replace the gates at Island Barn with the intention to automate their operation. The gates at Molember would be removed with a rock ramp weir built upstream. The gates at Viaduct would be removed with a rock ramp fish pass installed within the structure. In addition, a new rock ramp built upstream within the River Ember upstream of the offtake for the Royal Mills channel. The gates at Zenith, Wilderness and Royal Mills would be removed and rock ramp fish passes installed on the existing structures at Zenith and Wilderness. There would be localised infilling of the channel upstream of the structure at Royal Mills to remove any low areas in this section of the river. This option offers a reduction in the number of gates at both Molember Sluice and Viaduct Sluice, but also provides passive solutions to retain water levels above the level that would occur without mitigation.

Further information on specific locations and assets:

Molember Sluice

All gates would be removed, but the concrete piers will remain in place. Instead, a rock ramp weir would be provided upstream. This change would result in a reduction of 1.2m in water level upstream of the new rock ramp structure when compared to the present situation.

Island Barn Sluice

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

Viaduct Sluice

All the existing gates would be removed, and a new rock ramp fish pass would be installed within the structure whilst retaining the existing concrete piers and bridge.

A new rock ramp weir would be constructed within the River Ember upstream of the Royal Mills channel offtake which would result in a 1.6m reduction in water levels upstream of the rock ramp when compared to the present-day situation.

Zenith Sluice

All of the existing gates, electrical equipment and the walkway would be removed. A new rock ramp fish pass would be installed on the existing structure. There would be no change in water level upstream of the structure.

Wilderness Sluice

All of the existing gates and electrical equipment would be removed. A new rock ramp fish pass would be installed on the existing structure. There would be no change in water level upstream of the structure.

Royal Mills Sluice

The existing gate would be removed and the channel upstream of the structure locally infilled to remove any low spots along the riverbed. The removal of gates at Viaduct Sluice will result in the channel upstream of Royal Mills running dry under normal flow conditions.

Water level graph for this option



Page last updated: 07 Feb 2024, 09:07 AM