Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on August 29, 2012, 10:32:32 PM
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Bowman River now more fish friendly
29 Aug 2012 - NSW Fisheries Dept
Fish travelling up and down the Bowman River through Bowman Crossing will find their way much easier with works to improve fish passage in the area now complete.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Conservation Officer, Dan Cross, said the recent construction of a rock ramp fish way has provided a significant improvement to fish passage through this section of the Bowman River, north west of Gloucester.
"This project has opened up 10 kilometers of upstream aquatic habitat to native fish," Mr Cross said.
"Prior to these improvements fish passage at Bowman Crossing was restricted as shallow flows were sheeted over the crossing with a 1.5m drop on the downstream side.
"The removal of the obsolete concrete crossing enables native fish, such as Australian Bass, to move freely upstream, even in medium and low flows.
"The rock ramp also preserves the upstream pool and protects the foundations of the upstream bridge against streambed erosion."
"This important project was managed by DPI, with funding from Hunter Central Rivers CMA, the Recreational Fishing Trust and Gloucester Shire Council."
Mr Cross said that Bowman Crossing was the last remaining high priority barrier on Bowman River to benefit from remediation work.
"This new structure complements the treatment of three other crossings in recent years, effectively opening fish passage throughout the Bowman River," he said.
"These crossings were identified as priority barriers in a 2006 audit of fish passage barriers for the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA) area."