Why is the Doon under threat?
Scottish Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, a Spanish utility company, has the intention of reducing compensation flow in the River Doon from 45 million gallons per day to 28 mllion gallons per day and diverting yet more of the Doon’s water into the Kirkudbrightshire Dee.
The current compensation flow for the Doon was agreed as a result of water loss from the catchment when the Loch Doon dam was constructed. It is believed that the Doon currently loses 30% of its water - a greater percentage loss than for any other river in Scotland affected by hydro activity.
The Doon is the finest salmon river in Ayrshire, a fact which has significant economic benefits for the county, but also important social and recreational benefits too.
It would appear that Scottish Power has used the introduction of new legislation - the Water Frameworks Directive as a means of justifying its application. The hugely increased volume of water being transferred into the Dee would enable the company to generate more electricity and consequently income.
The reduction of flow to 28 million gallons of water per day would have a drastic effect upon the salmon stock of the river and also of other important species such as the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. This action would effectively finish the Doon as a salmon river of any consequence.
Please support the Save the Doon campaign to protect the River Doon from this threat by adding your signature to their petition here.
Scottish Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, a Spanish utility company, has the intention of reducing compensation flow in the River Doon from 45 million gallons per day to 28 mllion gallons per day and diverting yet more of the Doon’s water into the Kirkudbrightshire Dee.
The current compensation flow for the Doon was agreed as a result of water loss from the catchment when the Loch Doon dam was constructed. It is believed that the Doon currently loses 30% of its water - a greater percentage loss than for any other river in Scotland affected by hydro activity.
The Doon is the finest salmon river in Ayrshire, a fact which has significant economic benefits for the county, but also important social and recreational benefits too.
It would appear that Scottish Power has used the introduction of new legislation - the Water Frameworks Directive as a means of justifying its application. The hugely increased volume of water being transferred into the Dee would enable the company to generate more electricity and consequently income.
The reduction of flow to 28 million gallons of water per day would have a drastic effect upon the salmon stock of the river and also of other important species such as the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. This action would effectively finish the Doon as a salmon river of any consequence.
Please support the Save the Doon campaign to protect the River Doon from this threat by adding your signature to their petition here.