Category: The Club

An update from SEPA.

There was a spill/release of detergent to the sewer on the south side of Glasgow. The heavy overnight rain saw the operation of storm overflows, likely all around the south side (‘Shieldhall catchment’) of Glasgow.
Agitation of the detergent in the sewer and in the water environment caused extensive foaming which was visible in the White Cart and some of its tributaries, and then coming from the CSO under the ‘Squiggly Bridge’ in the city centre.

The onus is on Scottish Water to investigate the source of the unauthorised discharge to their sewer, but we collected various samples and asked our ecologists to check on impact. In summary, it looks like there’s been no notable effect on the White Cart and its tributaries, and the transitional Clyde in the City Centre. Surprisingly, one watercourse (the Bagabout Burn) was showing quite a significant improvement in invertebrate scores (indicating good water quality > 6 months), despite the incident. Not sure of the reasons for this, but the wet winter may have helped.

So, although very visible, the foaming was short lived and doesn’t seem to have done any harm.

Below is an update from SEPA regarding the large piles of sewage on Red Burn Farm NE of Torrance, and the resulting problems with discharge entering the burn. Thank you to those members that brought it to our attention

As discussed earlier a Paragraph 8(1) Waste Management Licence exemption was in place for the storage of sewage sludge at Red Burn Farm in Torrance. During the storage period the operator breached the relevant objectives of the exemption by not providing secure storage of the material. They also breached GBR 18 of the Controlled Activities Regulations as contaminated effluent discharged to the Red Burn.

Over the period SEPA officers attended on numerous occasions to respond to complaints, inspect operations, mitigate/reduce risk of further pollution and sample/survey to provide evidence for enforcement action.

Our sampling and ecology survey of the burn indicated that in periods of heavy rainfall, intermittently contaminated effluent discharged to the burn. As this discharge occurred during heavy rainfall then pollution was mitigated by dilution from high flows and well aerated cold water which maintained oxygen levels. The discharge however was recorded as having a negative impact on the burn and the health of some invertebrates had been affected. Localised sewage fungus near the discharge point was also noted but not noted downstream. Mitigation measures were then carried out to reduce the risk of further pollution with material taken off-site.

SEPA management decided that due to the non-compliance of the legislation discussed that the exemption would be removed. This does not allow the operator to store material at Red Burn Farm. All material was removed from the site on the 17th of April.

The Clyde River Foundation have kindly agreed to run two riverfly workshop events for us in May (Saturday the 3rd and the 10th). At the workshop you will learn about the various vertibrae that inhabit the Kelvin, and how to identifiy them.

We have 10 places available per day, and each group will learn how to take a kick sample, how to indentify the contents of the sample, and how to record the results.

The cost of the course is £35 per applicant. If you volunteer to take a sample once a month on behalf of the CRIMP project, then the association will cover the cost of your training.

If you are interested in attending the workshop then please give me a call (07730682748) or drop me an email (paul123reid@aol.com).

Kind regards

Paul

The Gallery prior to the recent clean up work.

This Saturday we will be meeting at the Islay Inn on Argyle Street for hot rolls and a few libations at 11.30am. From there the piper will lead us to the river just upstream of Snow Bridge (behind the Art Gallery).
It looks like we might have ourselves a celebrity to throw the first line, and later we can all meet again in the Islay Inn at 3pm to swap stories and eat pies!
As you can see from the pictures several members have done a great job cleaning up and removing obstructions from the pool (which will now be known as a The Gallery). Thanks to all that helped out.

Fingers crossed for the weather, but it is shaping up to be a great day!

I hope many of you are going to attend this on Saturday. Even if you are unsure if you can commit to the project, feel free to go along and find out more. It promises to be a very informative day.

There will be interested (potential) volunteers from various local groups. It would be a sad state of affairs if the anglers were outnumbered. For the people that like to talk about how much they care for the river and the fish, here is a chance to turn those words into action.

“Caring for the Clyde”

 2nd Clyde Riverfly Monitoring Partnership (CRIMP) Citizen Science Meeting

Saturday 8th March 2014

Time: 11.30 – 15.00 

Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, G12 8QQ

Schedule:

11.30 – Registration

11.45 – Dr William Yeomans (Clyde River Foundation) – Welcome and Introduction

Citizen Science for Communities

12:00 – Lesley Deans (CRIMP co-ordinator) – CRIMP’s First Year

12.15 – Theo Thomas – Love the Lea – Citizen Science in an Urban Watershed

13.00 Tea and Cake

Citizen Science for Schools

13:45 – Lizzie Willows – Riverfly Monitoring for Schools

14.10 – Lesley Deans – Clyde Living Lab – a proposal for Secondary Schools

14.30 – What Next?

If you wish to attend the meeting on March 8th, please formally register your place with the Project Coordinator, Lesley Deans.

Contact: Lesley.Deans@glasgow.ac.uk

Tel: 0141 330 5080

 

Following our complaints last year regarding silt run off, I am canvasing members for comments and or pictures that could be used in a possible enforcement action with regards to the Bothlin Burn and Luggie Water. If you have anything that you think might support the case please let me know.

Kind regards

Paul

It appears that a batch of permits are missing permit holders (the self laminating badge). If you purchase a permit and notice that your badge is missing, email or text me your address (paul123reid@aol.com 07730682748) and I will get one posted to you.

Kind regards
Paul

 

Details for the next CRIMP introduction meeting. This is an opportunity to come along and find out what it’s all about. You can help your river by completing a kick sample once a month and reporting your results. This meeting on the 8th will explain the project in more detail and give you a chance to get involved. 

 

“Caring for the Clyde”

 

2nd Clyde Riverfly Monitoring Partnership (CRIMP) Citizen Science Meeting

 

 

 

Saturday 8th March 2014

 

 

 

Time: 11.30 – 15.00 

 

 

 

Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, G12 8QQ

 

 

 

Schedule:

 

11.30 – Registration

 

 

 

11.45 – Dr William Yeomans (Clyde River Foundation) – Welcome and Introduction

 

 

 

Citizen Science for Communities

 

 

 

12:00 – Lesley Deans (CRIMP co-ordinator) – CRIMP’s First Year

 

 

 

12.15 – Theo Thomas – Love the Lea – Citizen Science in an Urban Watershed

 

13.00 Tea and Cake

 

Citizen Science for Schools

 

13:45 – Lizzie Willows – Riverfly Monitoring for Schools

 

14.10 – Lesley Deans – Clyde Living Lab – a proposal for Secondary Schools

 

14.30 – What Next?

 

If you wish to attend the meeting on March 8th, please formally register your place with the Project Coordinator, Lesley Deans, by Friday 28th February.

 

 

 

Contact: Lesley.Deans@glasgow.ac.uk

 

Tel: 0141 330 5080

 

 

 

Visit our webpage for news: www.clyderiverfoundation.org/crimp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willie Yeomans has worked for the Clyde River Foundation since 2002 and now leads a team of six scientists researching the ecology of the Clyde and its tributaries and delivering education projects throughout the catchment.

 

Lesley Deans is a Biologist with the Clyde River Foundation and co-ordinates the CRIMP citizen science programme.  CRIMP is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and supported by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Volunteers from across the Clyde system.

 

Theo Thomas is a Senior Programme Manager with Thames 21 , the leading waterways charity in London. Theo’s team works with communities across Greater London to improve their rivers, canals, ponds and lakes for people and wildlife. Theo specifically coordinates Citizen Science programmes including the Love the Lea campaign.

 

Lizzie Willows has been the Wear Rivers Trust’s Education Officer since 2012, developing schools engagement and educational projects. She also carries out volunteer liaison and co-ordinates the Riverfly monitoring network across the Wear catchment.

 

 

 

All of the items covered in the opening words from the Chair / Vice / Secretary are in the newsletter which was posted on the 19th.

Elections – Myself (Paul Reid), Alistair Stewart, and Jim Burns were all re-elected.

Proposals
1. Members may introduce a guest at a day rate of £15 (limited to 2 day tickets per year). Guests under 16 may fish for free – Carried

2. Remove the rule that restricts the fishing of the pool at the Allander confluence – Carried

3. Failure to submit a catch return to result in a £10 fine rather than termination of membership – Carried

4. No walking along the falls at Bishop Mill – Not Carried

5. No fishing at Bishop Mill in the pool beneath the falls – Not Carried

The AGM was well attended with around 100 members present. Next event on the calender is the opening ceremony on the 15th of March. I hope to see you there.

Kind regards
Paul