Fhorsa System Habitat Improvement Project

The Fhorsa system has only very limited spawning areas for salmon so the principal objective of this project is to sustain and enhance the existing areas The areas of focus and improvement are:

1. Below the main spawning area (between Loch Suainaval and Loch Slacsavat); this should be a priority, narrowing the excessively wide area with willow spilling and spruce brush laid as a mat behind. The shallow area shown in the pic is approximately 43.5m long by 10.8m wide and could be separated by installing willow spilling with a spruce brushmat.

2. Main Spawning area, some instream vegetation (50%) could be removed this would leave some cover for juvenile fish but ensure there is enough gravel for spawning adults.

3. The silted pool which has lots of vegetation below Loch Slacsavat, as per picture block off the left and right channels with rock leaving only the centre channel open. This would concentrate the flow through the centre and have a greater scouring effect reducing silt and vegetation build up.

The applicants are confident that the works highlighted above will significantly enhance and improve the freshwater habitat thereby playing an important role in helping to support the numbers of juveniles which will migrate to sea as smolts.