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About Unlocking the Severn
What is Unlocking the Severn?
Unlocking the Severn is a conservation and river-engagement project for people and wildlife. This unique project is helping to enable the upstream migration of fish on the UK’s longest river, the Severn.
The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the European Union LIFE programme, and a partnership between Canal & River Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, Environment Agency and Natural England.
Our main focus (the “hero” of our project!) is a species of fish called the twaite shad. Prior to the installation of weirs in the 1800s, this fish used to migrate up-river in the spring to reach their natural spawning grounds.
However, since these weirs have been put in place, their population numbers have drastically reduced. The twaite shad have been unable to reach their historical spawning grounds for 170 years, resulting in their classification as ‘endangered in the UK’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Twaite shad, photography by Jack Perks Wildlife Media
Providing safer passage for fish
The project has used using modern engineering solutions to design fish passages around four weirs on the River Severn, and two on the river Teme (a tributary of the Severn). This will allow the shad and other species to bypass the man-made barriers, improving fish access to the upper reaches of the River Severn. Crucially, the fish passes will give the shad access to habitat they have been unable to access for nearly 180 years!
A lens into the river
The fish pass at Diglis in Worcester is particularly unique. It is the biggest fish pass of its kind in England and Wales, and includes an underwater viewing window where passing fish can be seen making their journey upstream. So far, 25 species of fish have been spotted through Diglis Fish Window – a huge win for river conservation!
As well as an engagement tool for public and school visits, the window is important for scientific monitoring. The project records footage of fish moving past the window during the spring and summer. All eyes are on the window particularly during the shad run in May.
Unlocking the river for people and wildlife
As well as looking after the ecology of the River Severn, the project engages with local and wider communities as part of its extensive outreach programme. Through events and exhibitions, schools programme and volunteering opportunities, Unlocking the Severn encourages people of all ages, interests and backgrounds to be inspired by and learn from the River Severn.
Online engagement is a particularly important way of telling the project's story. Through Unlocking the Severn's website, social media, newsletter, webinars and online events, the project reaches a wider audience.
Citizen science is an important part of the project’s monitoring programme. The data collected by members of the public help the team understand the population dynamics of endangered fish and track its fortunes from year to year.
