Kingfisher is drained
November 23, 2014 11:36 am
Approximately twelve months ago the Kingfisher Pond developed a leak and water levels had to be temporarily lowered. When we dropped some drain dye down in front of the wall it appeared that the leak was in the area around the sluice. Divers subsequently confirmed this for us.
As a result water levels were lowered and bentonite clay, which expands when wet, was dropped in and around the front and sides of the structure. This, whilst not completely sealing the leak, greatly reduced the amount of water seeping through to the extent that the job was considered satisfactory.
Unfortunately during recent weeks water stopped flowing over the overflow and the level of the Pond dropped, in one instance, more than three feet in a week. More investigations were carried out and once again the leak stemmed from the sluice area. As a result hasty and temporary repairs have been carried out and the decision has been taken to empty the pond and take long term action to eliminate the problem.
Last week draining down began and a team of Environment Agency fisheries staff came to net out the stock ably assisted by a small number of volunteers.
The exercise took a full day and for those that were in the front line it was a tiring, wet, dirty exercise, but it was successful with almost 2000lbs of fish, a staggering amount for such a small pond, being removed to Burcliffe. The photograph below shows a small sample, approximately 10%, of the fish that were removed, and one of the perch.
At the time of writing some 2 feet of water remains in the pond, and no doubt a few remaining fish, and work will commence to remove this and any fish, during the coming days.
Already however it is clear, as was expected, that the water is leaking from below the sluice itself. Unfortunately resolving this problem, it seems, will be a big exercise, and we will be taking professional advice on how best to tackle it. We are determined however to carry out whatever work is necessary, as soon as possible, and to restock the pond so that we can all get fishing again.
Categorised in: Improvements
This post was written by martin read
5 Comments
reading further on I see it was 2000 lb
What is the plan when repairs are completed as regards to re stocking Kingfisher ???
Having mainly targeted this pond over the last 4 years it was improving year on year not just on quantity of fish caught but the quality.
Personally I would like to see it re stocked predominantly with crucian carp.
Hope all goes well with the repairs and looking forward to spending more happy hours fishing what in my opinion is the jewel of Ravenfield Ponds…….
Chris,
Thanks for the comments. I must admit that everyone is gutted because of the problem and it seems to be the common view that the Kingfisher was the best pond of the lot. But hey ho these things are sent to try us and regrettably we couldn’t leave things as they were for a whole host of reasons including H&S not to mention possibly losing what amounted to around £15k of fish!
All efforts are now being focussed on how we can effect repairs as soon as possible, but it will be a big job without doubt.
As for restocking we have yet to decide the details of restocking but one thing is for sure we cannot leave all the Kingfisher’s fish, including the crucians, in Burcliffe despite now ‘artificially’ feeding them, and so some will certainly be returned to the Kingfisher. But we have some other options to consider too. The Carp Pond is due to be netted to remove silver fish and both stock ponds are due for netting too with the one nearest the Gt. Pond/Kingfisher being established for crucians only and the other tench and rudd.
What a cracking perch Martin . how big do you think that one went ?
BSC
Maybe 1.5lbs, only small for some that have been caught. My best went 3lbs plus.