Reservoir water 'helps fishing' in dry weather

Anglers say water released from a reservoir as part of a maintenance project has helped keep their river fishable while other waterways struggle in the heat.

Water from Hury Reservoir near Barnard Castle, County Durham, had to be run into the River Tees before Northumbrian Water could begin £15m of work to increase the dam spillway and add a new syphon system.

Gareth Hinchcliffe, from Barnard Castle Angling Club, said that and higher-than-usual releases from Cow Green reservoir had managed to keep the River Tees fishable.

A spokesperson for Northumbrian Water said it would "continue to manage resources carefully".

Leslie Gray, from Wolsingham Angling Club, said the River Wear was usually full of fish at this time of year but now "the fish stocks are non-existent".

"I have just got back from the river, at this time of year we should be full of sea trout," he said.

"It is full of slime because the river is that low."

But Gareth Hinchcliffe, who has 40 years of angling experience, said it was a different story at the River Tees as the water being released from Hury had a cooling effect on the waterway.

"From my perspective the river flow is higher than I would expect considering the current weather conditions," he said.

"I suspect this is down to draining Hury and higher-than-expected releases from Cow Green."

He said it had kept "the Tees fishable when many other rivers are unfishable".

Northumbrian Water has moved water to other nearby reservoirs as well as the River Tees as part of the work, but said levels for this time of year were "below average".

It said it was encouraging customers "to use water wisely to help protect our precious rivers and wildlife".

Drought officials have moved Yorkshire and north-east England to "prolonged dry weather" status.

Work at Hury Reservoir is expected to take place until November 2026, and again from April to November in both 2027 and 2028.

Angling there has been suspended during the periods of work which require lowering the water level, but Northumbrian Water said its fish stocks had not been badly affected.

As part of the work, more than 30 species of fungi, including wax cap mushrooms, were uncovered in surveys.

Sections of the mushroom-filled land have been moved to protect them after the company received advice from specialists.

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