Creating the first unobstructed fish bypass channel through Oxford for more than four centuries
Historically, fish passage through Oxford, England, has been impeded by the presence of several structures and locks. The Seacourt Stream runs parallel to the River Thames, bypassing four of the Thames locks; however, the offtake from the Thames is a barrier to fish movement.
The Environment Agency and Thames Water were looking to create a natural fish pass bypass channel—the first unobstructed channel past Oxford for more than four centuries. Stantec was engaged to develop a solution that would meet the requirements for fish passage, deliver the required velocities and flows, while also maintaining water levels in the River Thames. Throughout the scheme, we provided services from inception to the current tendering and approval stages. The scheme delivers a sympathetic design that takes the local Sites of Special Scientific Interest, archaeology, geotechnical constraints, landowner requirements, the Thames Path, and the future Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme into consideration.
The final design will create a new channel that fits into the local environment and delivers ecological enhancement to the area. As a result, the scheme has gained the approval from the fish pass panel and has been recommended for approval by the Local Planning Authority.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Thames Water
- The Environment Agency
Rob Riddington, Director of Water Management
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