This section of Where's The Water passes on the latest information on when hydro-electric schemes are releasing water into the rivers. Note that much of this information is gained informally, usually by word-of-mouth. It is usually correct, but there are no guarantees! Likewise, rivers may well be releasing on dates that are not listed here - sometimes it's worth a look if you're in the area.
If you know more information about when a dam will be releasing, or if you know some information here is incorrect - please get in touch by emailing kennybiggin@yahoo.com
Most dam release rivers also support a healthy fishing community. This shouldn't be a problem, so long as all river users respect each other and act responsibly. Please be aware that dam release rivers tend to create 'hot-spots' and can get busy - take this into consideration and make sure you: park sensibly, leave the place as you found it - or tidier, and be polite!
Do you know any information about dam release rivers? Let us know by emailing kennybiggin@yahoo.com
River Awe
A classic beginner's trip, the River Awe usually has at least some water in it due to compensation flow from a dam over the summer. The SCA have arranged 2 specific Sundays for decent releases in 2008, one has passed (Sun 4th May) and the other is Sun 9th Nov. Oban Canoe Club are doing a regular Tues night trip on the river - reports are the levels are low but improving very slightly week by week. The river should also be paddleable most other days through the summer. Traditionally, slightly higher releases where on a Sunday - we'll let you know if this is the case this year.
River Moriston
The Moriston should have started its summer 2008 releases.
It is one of the harder dam-release rivers - usually clocked in at Grade 4 (read the guidebook). For the last few years releases have been on Tuesdays between May and September and the pattern continued last summer (2007). The river usually starts around mid-day Tuesday and keeps going through Wednesday mornings.
Releases do occur during the winter and spring after very heavy rainfall. We'll be checking the river next week and will let you know for definite if the weekly releases have started again.
River Garry
The Garry dates change from day to day throughout the summer in an effort to keep numbers at manageable levels. The dates are set in advance, but aren't common knowledge at the moment. We do often hear through the grapevine though and will publish dates a couple of weeks in advance if we know them - so check back regularly.
When releasing, the water usually starts coming on around 7 or 8am (though it increases gradually and the river will take a while to rise) and starts dropping again in the evening. Paddling between 10am and 8pm should be pretty safe levels-wise, though you may well get a decent paddle either sides of these times. The Garry tends to run March to October.
The Garry is releasing now and should be running around once a week until Oct. The coming dates are:
May 2008 - Thurs 1st, Thurs 8th, Wed 14th, Thurs 22nd, Sat 24th and Thurs 29th.
Releases are also arranged on both the Moriston and Garry for the annual Wet West Paddlefest (the AJ Memorial Weekend). The weekend is usually held in September. For information on the event see http://wetwestpaddlefest.co.uk
River Tummel
The Tummel has two sections made paddleable by dam releases during the summer months.
The Lower Tummel release (the well known section) is from Clunie Dam to the fall at the Linn of Tummel. Unfortunately the maintenance works which were giving great levels on this section of the Tummel have stopped. As with the Moriston, this may release over the winter if there is consistent, heavy rainfall. Information on summer releases for 2008 will be put up as soon we know anything.
The Upper Tummel, from Dunalistair Dam to Tummel Bridge or Loch Tummel, is just about paddleable all the time and is a fairly fun section for a few kms. We've been told that this section is also releasing alot at the moment due to work on the aquaduct which is putting all the water down the river.
River Meig
Read the guidebook for this one - it says it all. As far as we know, there's a compensation flow going all through the summer months which is enough to make an enjoyable first trip down a very pretty gorge. Don’t be put off when you get to the dam, it doesn’t need much and as long as there is some compensation flow it should be worth a trip.
Upper Spean (Laggan Dam)
The Laggan Dam doesn't have scheduled releases - it actually releases 2 pipes at a time automatically when the water level in Loch Laggan rises to a certain level. It very rarely releases during the summer. We'll try and keep the site up to date with the Loch levels & last known number of pipes releasing. Note that the Loch can actually rise and fall pretty dramatically with both very wet and very dry weather. We have ambitions to set up a web cam of Laggan Dam, but this may be some time off!
Doon (Ness Glen)
Hidden away in Ayrshire, the Ness Glen section of the Doon is on a constant release all summer and is paddleable all the time.
Maintenance Releases
Dams need maintenance, and when they do the hydro scheme is forced to release water into the river. The River Conon is the classic case of paddlers taking advantage of a maintenance shutdown - quite a few folk had magic trips and minor epics as a result! We'd love to get info on maintenance schedules, but so far this info hasn't been forthcoming - we live in hope!!