The Thames Anglers Conservancy were asked by the Environment agency if we could help with some habitat restoration and a clean up along the river Bonesgate, a tributary of the Hogsmill. This is the first time TAC volunteers have been out and done this type work with the EA and were delighted to get more involved.

The Bonesbrook is a Tributary of the Hogsmill which is a very important tributary of the Thames. These play a very big role in fish recruitment for the main river as spawning grounds for smaller fish that get washed into the Thames during higher water.

There were  a series of splash weirs put in during the 70's which have been gradually taken out as are an obstruction for fish passage. So the job of today was notching out an old weir base, changing the flow and removing a barrier to natural fish movement.

So armed with various tools we set about clearing the spot.

First look at the job in hand, the obstruction is causing the flow to be very fast over a small area with no obvious way for small fish to get past.

Environment Agency fisheries officer Dave Bartlett looking on as a TAC volunteer breaks up the surface layer

Final result after much hard work, a smoother glide through with pools on either side creating easy passage

During and after some Blackthorn canopy was carefully removed to create more light and encourage marginal plants.

The final job was to litter pick and clear debris the stretch from both the river and the bank side. With five hands it was still hard work but very productive as the local park rangers truck will testify.

TAC