Trust’s salmon project helps river take a leap forward

A project led by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to restore a river’s natural habitat and support the return of Atlantic salmon has been completed.

Atlantic salmon had previously been absent from parts of the River Ecclesbourne for around a century.

In 2023, excavation and construction work began to re-meander a 400-metre section of the river back to its original channel and open up more than 28km of river and tributaries for fish migration at the site of the former Postern Mill in Turnditch, Derbyshire.

The new channel bypasses the last remaining weir on the River Ecclesbourne, located between Wirksworth and where the river joins the Derwent near Duffield, restoring the river to its original course, which was diverted in the 18th century for milling.

Working with partners, including Chatsworth, which is part of the Devonshire Group, the trust led the project to help improve water quality and enrich the ecological status of the river.

It was launched following a Wild Trout Trust habitat assessment that found the river had significant potential for fish spawning, including Atlantic salmon, but migration was blocked by manmade barriers.

Now complete, the two-year project has delivered a wide range of benefits to wildlife and people.

Natural river processes have been restored, creating important flow diversity across the new channel and providing vital habitats for fish and invertebrates.

Jennifer Kril, living rivers officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are excited to have completed this important phase of work to restore the River Ecclesbourne as part of our vision for a Wilder Derbyshire.

“The ecological status of the river has long been classified as ‘moderate’ under the Water Framework Directive, due to pollution and manmade barriers that prevented fish from moving freely throughout the watercourse.

“Working with our partners, we’ve been able to help improve the river’s natural habitats and overall health, while restoring vital fish passage for a range of species.

“This project is not only a win for nature. It has created meaningful opportunities for local schools and communities to connect with their river, learn about its biodiversity, and lead nature recovery right on their doorstep.”