In 2007 we had a major project at the Loch of Strathbeg aimed at reducing the sediment and nitrogen inputs into the Loch of Strathbeg – an international important dune loch that was in danger from changing from a higher plant ecosystem to an algal dominated system. After this project SEPA monitored the water quality and the data showed that the aims of the project worked well. However, the water crossing the reserve before it got to the Loch was very anaerobic, particularly during the summer months. This was having the detrimental impact of releasing phosphates from the sediments into the water and then down into the Loch, thus increasing nutrients again. Under advisement from SNH and SEPA we planned on installing a new sluice that would enable us to drop water levels further, reducing water volume which should increase oxygenation and decrease phosphate release.
This project has delivered that new sluice to enable us to drop water levels lower than we previously were able to. This project has also bought us a solar powered water pump to increase the supply to one of the managed wetlands adversely affected by lowered water levels. The Savoch Low Ground would normally draw its water from the reservoir by gravity but by lowering the water levels in the reservoir this would no longer happen, hence the need for pumps.
Map showing location of new sluice, reservoir and wetlands effected by this project.
Whilst the project has been completed successfully we will not know for a while whether the full aims have been reached for a year or more. We can now lower the water levels across the whole reservoir and SEPA will continue to monitor water quality over the years to come and we will closely monitor the data. We are confident that it will work but we don’t have the data to show it as yet.
Whilst this was quite a simple project, the timescales have proved tricky. Luckily we were able to find a contractor that was able to work with us on this and condensed the program of works. The sluice will be used, roughly, twice a year in spring and autumn to let the water out and hold it back again for the wintering wildfowl. Moving on from this project we also plan to develop the Savoch Low Ground, cleaning out the old ditches to make this a much better place for breeding lapwing and other waders.
Before the works started with the new sluice to go in the foreground, before the burn.
During the works, showing the wider reservoir behind the sluice and Savoch Low Ground on the right.
Nearly there ……..
The finished sluice and the wetland it controls.
Two big solar panels and pump waiting to go.
This project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
We are very grateful for the support of NRF in the project to enhance the water control on the internationally important wetland areas of the RSPB nature reserve.