As we await the main heat towards the end of the weekend see below from WUF.

While this may help I find it extraordinary that there seems acceptace that crop abstractors can continue with a plea to half the amount taken / Talk about falling on deaf ears.

As for the release itself in my opinion it will have little or no effect.  the amout needs to be rally substantail otherwise by the time it reaches to lower river it will have mixed and warmed to t]the rest of the river waters temperature.  Any rise in levels means water will lap onto  red hot riverside rocks and gravel quickly raising levels   There again we would have complained had they done nothing.  We shall just have to wait and see.

Sent: 14 July 2022 18:43
To: Hub Admin
Subject: URGENT INFO: Planned water release to mitigate lethal rivertemperatures

 

Dear All

Please see urgent message from Kate Speke-Adams (Wye & Usk Foundation) below ….

 

The impact of the hot weather is near to reaching lethal levels in the Wye. Temperatures in the Lower Wye were >23 degrees on Wednesday and if the forecast for next week is correct temperatures are likely to be even higher. In the drought of 1976 the Wye reached 27degrees and resulted in a massive fish kill.   

 

We have the majority of this year’s Wye salmon run still stuck below Ross due to the low flows. Many pools have hundreds of fish in them.

 

We have negotiated with Welsh Water to enact their ‘spate clause’ and they have agreed to release additional water over the weekend which we hope will prevent the river reaching lethal temperatures and avoid a fish kill.

 

We appreciate that abstraction during such hot dry conditions is sustaining crops but we hope that the potential impact of these weather conditions on our wildlife is understood too. We are asking abstractors to halt where possible or limit if not, their water take from the Wye on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to ensure this release of water reaches the fish it is intended for…

 

If you are an abstractor please do let me know your thoughts on the above and any decision you subsequently make.

 

Please share this request with any neighbours/friends that may be abstracting so that it reaches as many people as possible.

 

Thank you in advance,

 

Kate