Project Overview:

Managed by the Wye and Usk Foundation, and labelled by them as ‘by far the most complex construction works they had undertaken’, JSR was approached to take on the project following previous difficulties with the project.

The project was initially set to begin in the Autumn of 2019, however, JSR recommended that, due to torrential rain having the potential to breach the previously installed cofferdam, works were delayed until the conditions were more favourable to complete the works. Working closely with the Foundations’ Director of Operations, the decision was made to remove the existing cofferdam, and a new date was set for June 2020. 

Technical Information:

Works on the project began by mobilising the site, and installing a cofferdam in order to create a dry, safe working area. As the fish pass was designed to be split over two flights, the JSR team began the works by setting out the base and walls for the upper flight of the Larinier fish pass and resting pool. 

JSR set the formwork and installed the steel reinforcement, and began casting the concrete to form the structure. Following the completion of the upper flight, a similar process was repeated on the resting pool and the lower flight, with them both joining together to complete the Larinier style fish pass.

The project came with a range of complexities, one being the concrete casting, due to where the fish pass was situated, the JSR team had to pump the concrete over the River Lugg in order to be able to cast the structure successfully.

The fish pass also required extensive logistical management, with JSR having to source a concrete supplier that was able to provide the high specification concrete to such a remote area. A supplier was found located around 20 miles away from the site and regular communication and management were imperative in order to complete the works on programme.‍

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Results:

With 40m3 of concrete cast, and 1,500m of reinforced steelwork installed, the unique project saw JSR Construction showcase both expertise and versatility to deliver the project on time and much to the delight of the client.

Customer feedback:

“Everyone involved in this fish pass project should take pride in what has been accomplished for the Wye’s fish species, especially the Atlantic salmon.”

Louis Macdonald-Ames, 

Head of Operations,

The Wye and Usk Foundation