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Improving fish passage along the River Thames by creating a bypass channel
The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a cornerstone of environmental regulation in England, setting out the actions water companies must deliver to meet statutory obligations and contribute to wider environmental goals. AMP7, which covered 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025, represented one of the most ambitious WINEP cycles to date, with over 11,900 actions aimed at improving water quality, protecting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable water resources. The case study below provides an example of one of the completed AMP7 projects.New bypass channel
The new bypass channel provides the first unobstructed route past Oxford in over four centuries. Previously the weir between Seacourt stream and River Thames prevented fish migration upstream. The new channel avoids the weir, enabling free passage for fish species for spawning and migration in the upper Thames reaches.
Maintaining flow to the various distributaries fed by the Thames has been a significant challenge with Farmoor abstraction reducing flows in Oxford water courses (including Seacourt stream) during summer months. The scheme has provided an important mitigation from the potential ecological consequences of this by securing fish passage. It also provides a better means for managing flow distribution during low flows to ensure Thames navigation.
The scheme was designed by Stantec and constructed by Five Rivers. A collaborative approach from the offset ensured that construction activities were coordinated in such a way to minimise disruption to adjacent farming operations. The scheme was a collaboration between Thames Water, Environment Agency, the landowners (Oxford University & FAI farms) and the land agents (Savills). Thames Water funded the project and provided project management and general steer.
Completion of the project has established a vital fish migration route, reconnected critical habitats, and continues to enhance biodiversity in the region. Improved access to upstream spawning grounds should support restoration of natural fish populations and strengthen the overall ecological health of the Thames and its tributaries.
Improving fish passage along the River Thames by creating a bypass channel
The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a cornerstone of environmental regulation in England, setting out the actions water companies must deliver to meet statutory obligations and contribute to wider environmental goals. AMP7, which covered 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025, represented one of the most ambitious WINEP cycles to date, with over 11,900 actions aimed at improving water quality, protecting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable water resources. The case study below provides an example of one of the completed AMP7 projects.New bypass channel
The new bypass channel provides the first unobstructed route past Oxford in over four centuries. Previously the weir between Seacourt stream and River Thames prevented fish migration upstream. The new channel avoids the weir, enabling free passage for fish species for spawning and migration in the upper Thames reaches.
Maintaining flow to the various distributaries fed by the Thames has been a significant challenge with Farmoor abstraction reducing flows in Oxford water courses (including Seacourt stream) during summer months. The scheme has provided an important mitigation from the potential ecological consequences of this by securing fish passage. It also provides a better means for managing flow distribution during low flows to ensure Thames navigation.
The scheme was designed by Stantec and constructed by Five Rivers. A collaborative approach from the offset ensured that construction activities were coordinated in such a way to minimise disruption to adjacent farming operations. The scheme was a collaboration between Thames Water, Environment Agency, the landowners (Oxford University & FAI farms) and the land agents (Savills). Thames Water funded the project and provided project management and general steer.
Completion of the project has established a vital fish migration route, reconnected critical habitats, and continues to enhance biodiversity in the region. Improved access to upstream spawning grounds should support restoration of natural fish populations and strengthen the overall ecological health of the Thames and its tributaries.
New bypass channel