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Reduce changes in the water level and increase habitat by using fixed weirs and building a rock ramp - Option Blue
A map of the scheme for this option.
We will keep the gates at Island Barn, replace the gates with fixed weirs at Molember. We will also remove the gates at Viaduct and build a new rock ramp upstream. There could be small increases in plant and animal habitat along and in the river.
We would replace the gates at Island Barn Sluice with new gates with the intention to automate their operation. All gates at Molember Sluice would be replaced with fixed weirs. All gates at Viaduct would be removed and 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 Sluices 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 throughout the Scheme, but also provides a passive solution to retain water levels above the level that would occur without mitigation.
Further information on specific locations and assets:
Molember Sluice
At this location, all the gates would be replaced with fixed crest weirs, which would result in a reduction of 0.6m in water level upstream of the structure compared to the present-day situation.
Island Barn Sluice
At this location, all the 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.
Viaduct Sluice
At this location, 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 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 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 river bed. The removal of gates at Viaduct Sluice will result in the channel upstream of Royal Mills running dry under normal flow conditions.
Water level map for this option
A map of the scheme for this option.
We will keep the gates at Island Barn, replace the gates with fixed weirs at Molember. We will also remove the gates at Viaduct and build a new rock ramp upstream. There could be small increases in plant and animal habitat along and in the river.
We would replace the gates at Island Barn Sluice with new gates with the intention to automate their operation. All gates at Molember Sluice would be replaced with fixed weirs. All gates at Viaduct would be removed and 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 Sluices 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 throughout the Scheme, but also provides a passive solution to retain water levels above the level that would occur without mitigation.
Further information on specific locations and assets:
Molember Sluice
At this location, all the gates would be replaced with fixed crest weirs, which would result in a reduction of 0.6m in water level upstream of the structure compared to the present-day situation.
Island Barn Sluice
At this location, all the 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.
Viaduct Sluice
At this location, 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 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 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 river bed. The removal of gates at Viaduct Sluice will result in the channel upstream of Royal Mills running dry under normal flow conditions.
A map of the scheme for this option. 
Water level map for this option
