Whitewater Development on Existing Weir Structures.

Some of the UK’s most popular whitewater is man made and provides constant recreational opportunities to several thousand people. Sites such as Hurley, Shepperton, Boulters and Hambledon Weirs on the Thames support a growing following of active paddlers. Elsewhere in the country weirs support formal competitive events as well as allowing the recreational paddler an excellent opportunity to improve their whitewater skills. Nationwide our industrial legacy has created countless weirs, many with great potential for development and a return to beneficial use.

Weirs have formed one of the fundamental means of controlling rivers for centuries. They have been constructed for diverting flows to provide power to water-mills; creating a deliberate obstruction to allow fish to be caught; as a means of channelling water for its use in potable supplies and electricity generation; or simply as a means to create increased depth to allow navigation.

Many weirs are now maintenance liabilities for their owners hence opportunities exist for multi-party collaboration to improve the overall amenity and environmental aspects of these legacy structures.

Benefits of development;

• By developing a site a potentially dangerous weir can be not only made safer, but improved to provide an excellent recreational facility. If a reliable flow exists then a playspot can be formed that will quickly become popular with canoeists. These sites are often colonised by local club paddlers and can form the breeding grounds for future athletes.
• As a consequence of the improvements there are often many economic benefits to the local economy from the visiting paddlers, particularly if competitions can be held.
• Fishing is invariably improved by such renovation, and through considerate design hydraulic features that improve canoeing also considerably aid fish passage.
• Public Image; a multi-party project that helps both the fishing and canoeing fraternities is an excellent opportunity for governmental bodies to promote benefits for all interested parties and deliver a common goal.