Unhindered fish migration
The Skådehei stream once flowed through concrete pipes, but has now been re-opened.
Photo: Eline Gourinel, Klepp municipality
New life in the stream
The Skådehei stream flows into Orrevatn Lake in Klepp municipality and has been forced through a pipeline for many years. This has had a negative impact on wildlife and restricts the stream’s ability to aid in flood retention. In 2021, the municipality joined forces with the landowner, the Jæren water region and the Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers to open a 600-metre stretch in the upper part of the stream. About 32 tonnes of spawning gravel were deposited in the stream bed to improve the habitat for salmon and trout. In the spring of 2022 about 100 trees and bushes were planted along the stream.
Once in pipes – now an open stream. Trees and bushes have now been planted along the banks of the stream. This is how the stream looks when filled with water.
Photo: Eline Gourinel, Klepp municipality
Moving freely under the highway
It hasn’t been easy for salmon and sea trout to make headway up the Strandåna river south of Tau. Several obstacles have prevented the free movement of fish. Even those that succeeded in finding their way upstream have struggled to find hiding places and good spawning habitats. Perhaps the future is looking brighter? The first obstruction, where the Rv13 highway crosses the river, has now been removed. The Norwegian Roads Administration has replaced a poorly-purposed pipe with three channels and a retention pool.
The Strandåna river flows out close to a popular bathing area close to the Rv13 highway. New pipe channels have been installed under the Rv13 highway to give the fish better access to the lower stretch of the river.
Photo: Leiv Krumsvik
Migration obstacles in the Førland stream that flows into the Suldalslåg river.
Photo: Jarle Lunde
Free access in Suldal
There were good intentions behind the installation of pipes and weirs along the 850-metre Førland stream, which is a tributary of the Suldalslåg river. Salmon, sea trout, local native trout and three-spined stickleback have all been recorded in this stream. The Førland installation was designed in 1989 as a nursery site for young fish, but has proved not to be fit for purpose. The stream will now be restored, and one of the first actions has been to remove obstructions that prevent fish migration. There is also a need to re-establish bankside vegetation, improve potential spawning sites and create hiding places for the fish.
Pipes have been removed and the weir opened up. Fish are once again able to migrate freely along the Førland stream.
Photo: Jarle Lunde