SRA Annual Report 2021-22: Dulverton Weir and Leat
The weir across the River Barle in Dulverton, and the Leat that loops off it, are both eroded and damaged. Somerset West and Taunton Council owns the weir and Leat and wants to see them repaired and improved. As a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), the council has been investigating how best this goal might be achieved. The weir and Leat help to regulate flows of water in and around Dulverton. (The sluice gates at the head of the Leat form part of an Environment Agency flood defence scheme).
During 2021-22, SRA funding was used to commission an ecological survey from Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT). WRT produced a detailed 87-page report making 18 recommendations. For example, it suggested designing a multi-species technical fish pass on the right hand bank, with an upstream deflector. Species known to live downstream of the weir include lamprey, brown/sea trout, European eel, Atlantic salmon, bullhead, stone loach and grayling. It is likely they would go upstream if they could get there.
Using SRA funding, the council also commissioned Mann Williams (Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers) to produce detailed designs for reconstructing the Weir.
Dulverton Leat Trust has agreed in principle to lease the Weir and Leat, once they are restored, and to pay for their future maintenance.