Water Releases
River Awe
NGR: NN 0453 2868
LOCATION: Loch Awe Barrage
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 15,200,000m3 (in addition to compensation flows)
FRESHET SEASON: 20 April – 20 December
FREQUENCY:
The following freshet regime shall be delivered subject to the baseline compensation flow being amended in the Awe CAR licence and the annual compensation and freshet totals not being exceeded:
One freshet to be delivered on Saturday 20 April 2024. The freshet on this day shall deliver a volume of 300,000 m3 over a period of 12 hours, i.e. the total flow including the compensation flow shall be increased to the equivalent of 1,200,000 m3/day, starting at 08:00 and finishing at 20:00.
Two freshets to be delivered on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May 2024. The freshet on these days shall deliver a volume of 300,000 m3 over a period of 12 hours, i.e. the total flow including the compensation flow shall be increased to the equivalent of 1,200,000 m3/day, starting at 06:00 and finishing at 18:00 on each day.
One freshet starting at 08:00 on the last Sunday in July and August, each of these freshets shall deliver a volume of 500,000 m3 over one day (24 hours) i.e. the total flow including the compensation shall be increased to 1,500,000 m3/day.
One freshet starting at 08:00 on the last Sunday in September. This freshet shall deliver a volume of 600,000 m3 over one day (24 hours) i.e. the total flow including the compensation shall be increased to 1,500,000 m3/day.
A total of six freshets, the first freshet commencing at 12:00 on the second Friday in October and commencing at 12:00 every second Friday thereafter. Where the sixth freshet would fall outside the freshet season above, it may be delivered earlier. Each freshet shall deliver a volume of 2,100,000 m3 over three days (72 hours) i.e. the total flow including the compensation shall be increased to 1,500,000 m3/day.
TOTAL ALLOCATED VOLUME: 15,100,000 m3
SMOLT FRESHETS:
A ‘smolt freshet’ shall be released when any one of the following conditions occur between 15 April and 30 June:
There are reliable reports of a build-up of smolts upstream of the Awe Barrage (under discussion with SSE to agree a protocol with the fisheries board bailiff and/or fisheries trust biologist for opening the freshet gate),
No main machine running at Inverawe because of insufficient water,
No planned machine running at Inverawe due to insufficient water / forecast rainfall, and,
SSE receive a written request from SEPA that a release be made.
Each smolt freshet shall consist of the following actions:
The flow will be maintained at the current level, i.e. either the normal compensation flow or a lower flow, based on the inflow to Loch Awe (condition 4.2.3 of the licence allows that when the inflow to Loch Awe falls below 15.785 m3/s the outflow shall be equal to the inflow).
All the flow, apart from the fish pass flow, shall be passed via the freshet gate.
The freshet will start on or about 19:00 and finish on or about 07:00 the following morning.
Notwithstanding condition 4.2.3 of the licence which limits the required flow if the flows entering Loch Awe are less than 15.785 m3/s.
River Garry
NGR: NH 2759 0202
LOCATION: Garry (Invergarry)
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 27,640,239 m3
FRESHETS PROFILE: Freshet release commences at 08:00 on the stated day and continuing for 20 hours until 04:00 on the following day. Each freshet shall release a volume of 684,225 m3 and 40 such freshets shall be released per annum as per the table below. Except freshets delivered on the Saturday 13 July and Sunday 08 September which will commence at 06:00 and continue for 13 hours until 19:00 releasing 444,746 m3.
TOTAL ALLOCATED VOLUME: 27,369,000 m3
River Lyon
NGR: NN 5073 4200
LOCATION: Stronuich – River Lyon
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 9,546,600 m3 (in addition to compensation flows)
FREQUENCY: Release dates as specified below for 2024.
Two additional freshets will be available for release at the request of SEPA. Five working days’ notice will be given for their release.
FRESHETS PROFILE: Freshet release commences at 15:00 on the stated day, continues for 20 hours, finishing at 11:00 the following day and releasing a total volume of 340,957 m3/day. 28 freshets lasting 20 hours are available per annum.
TOTAL ALLOCATED VOLUME: 9,546,796 m3 per annum.
River Moriston (Dundreggan Dam)
NGR: NH 3572 1565
LOCATION: Dundreggan (River Moriston)
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 43,778,866 m3
FRESHET SEASON: 1 April - 1 November
FREQUENCY: Once per week
FRESHETS PROFILE: Freshet releases commence at 11:00 on Tuesday continuing for 29 hours until 16:00 on Wednesday.
Please note there will be no freshet on Tuesday 10 September 2024. The next scheduled Moriston freshet is on 17 September.
Except for weeks beginning 13 May, 27 May, 01 July, 22 July, 05 August, 12 August, 19 August, and 02 September when the freshets shall be released as follows:
- Saturday 18 May starting at 05:00 continuing for 29 hours until 10:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 01 June starting at 09:00 continuing for 29 hours until 14:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 06 July starting at 09:00 continuing for 29 hours until 14:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 27 July starting at 10:00 continuing for 32 hours until 18:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 10 August starting at 09:00 continuing for 29 hours until 14:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 17 August starting at 09:00 continuing for 29 hours until 14:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 24 August starting at 09:00 continuing for 29 hours until 14:00 on Sunday.
- Saturday 07 September starting at 05:00 continuing for 29 hours until 10:00 on Sunday.
Each freshet shall release a minimum of 736,467 m3
NATURAL SPATES: The freshets at Dundreggan take into account natural spates and count one natural spate as one freshet.
TOTAL ALLOCATED VOLUME: 16,938,741m3
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NGR: NH 1845 0981
LOCATION: Cluanie – River Moriston
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 8,000,960 m3
The freshets from Loch Cluanie to the River Moriston have not historically been delivered. Following a request in 2023 for the freshets to be provided, trial freshets have been carried out with a view to including formally programmed freshets in subsequent years.
Upper Tummel (Dunalastair Dam)
NGR: NN 7215 5912
LOCATION: Dunalastair
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 20,454,000 m3 (including the compensation flow)
FRESHET SEASON: From May to October
FREQUENCY: 15 releases/season
FRESHETS PROFILE: Freshet releases commence at 14:00 on the stated day continuing for 47 hours until 13:00 on day three. Each freshet shall release 811,500 m3.
TOTAL ALLOCATED VOLUME: 12,172,500 m3/day (in addition to the compensation flow)
Lower Tummel (Clunie)
NGR: NN 8843 6027
LOCATION: Clunie – River Tummel
TOTAL AVAILABLE VOLUME: 14,320,190 m3
FRESHET SEASON: 1 June – 30 September
FRESHETS PROFILE: Freshets shall be released weekly and shall commence at 16:00 on Friday continuing for 64 hours until 08:00 on Monday. Each freshet shall release 976,896 m3.
TOTAL ALLOCATED VOLUME: 16,607,232 m3
Falls of Lora
Not a water release, but a natural tidal wonder.
The falls of Lora are situated six miles North East of Oban on the West Coast of Scotland. The falls are generated when the tide level in the Firth of Lorn drops below the level of the water in Loch Etive. On the Ebb tide, the seawater in Loch Etive pours out through the narrows which are themselves spanned by the spectacular and historic Connel Bridge. The currents and waves produced by the flood tide are also well worth seeing and paddling.
The falls provide excitement for kayakers and divers as well as a stunning sight for tourists and photographers.
Visit the
Falls of Lora website for more information on the falls and when they are running.
