Chadwick Dam Development Plan

Catch Nature has been working in conjunction with groundwork Tameside, Tameside MBC and environment Agency on the proposals to develop the Dam and the future management of the lakes, ground work has been working as agents in such matters as detailed design, seeking planning consent and tendering any work.

The project will involve removal of rubbish from the lake, draining the lake, removing fish, creating a retaining barrier at the lake edge, de-silting the lake, repairs to the weir and overflow, planting up of the waters edge with iris and other marginal plants, installation of some 35 disabled fishing platforms, create a wheelchair friendly paths around the lake and re-stocking the lake.

We plan to manage a professional sports facility for the local community, providing a safe in Environment for local people to enjoy, with all the revenue being reinvested in the future management and maintenance of the lake.

Planning permission for the project was submitted on 18th November 2004 and approved on 13th January 2005.

Stage one removing rubbish

Fisheries managers removing rubbish which has been thrown into the lake over the years.

Stage two removing fish

The Environment Agency netting the lake.

Fish were placed in to the boating lake until work was complete.
Fish removed included:

108 Carp
30 Tench
10 Bream
14 Pike
200 Roach
60 Perch

There will be other netting once the lake have been drained.

Stage three draining and dredging the lake

Over a period of years, the lakes have filled with mud, silt, plant material and leaf litter along with other organic debris.

The depth of the lake was originally 1.5m now the lake has an average depth of 300mm, the lake having a blanket weed problem, which forms extensive mats over the bed of the lake, in summer pieces of this can rise to the surface and require physical removal. These conditions are likely to persist in future years given the relatively high phosphorus levels, unless dredging and large aquatic plants programme are implemented the lake will be endanger of drying up. The silt will be re-used on site to create wetland areas in between the fishing platforms

Stage four creating a path way around the lake

The new path will give the community access, by foot to the surroundings of the lake, which is not available at the moment; it will be 1.5m in width and will cater for disabled.

Stage five construction of 35 fishing platforms

There will be 35 fishing platforms will be constructed at intervals of 12m around the lake. The platform will be level with the path creating a wheelchair friendly facility.

The picture on the above show a platform under constructed at the new Celmac pond Denton.

Stage six Aquatic planting

In between each of the platforms, pre-established aquatic coil rolls are being placed within the margins. Aquatic plants are vital to the maintenance of a healthy lake, they help to oxygenate the water, provide habitat for animals and are the basis of the food chains within the lake.

Victorian Lilly pads in pots will be placed into the pond; this will improve the invisible appearance of the lake and will also help the bio-diversity of the lakes environment.

The project aims to:

Provide an angling facilities for the community in Tameside
Enhance the visual appeal of the lake and their surroundings
Improve water quality
Increase ecological diversity
Increase awareness of the need to manage urban lakes
Giving the community the opportunity to enjoy their local environment
Develop a sporting/training opportunity for young people through angling
Develop a sporting/training opportunity for adults through angling.

Full range of services

Recreational fishing
Competitive match fishing
Junior and beginner coaching
Fish food sales
Club membership scheme
Hire of fishing tackle

Sustainability

Each of the service products is planned for sustainability in its own right through income generation:

Recreational fishing surplus raised by venue charges
Match fishing surplus raised by competition entry fees
Coaching surplus raised by hire of equipment and coaching charges
Bait / fish food sales will provide a surplus by charges in excess of production costs and by virtue of reducing feeding costs to be done by the management
Club membership will enhance surplus from a membership annual charge
Hire of tackle will bring a return on investment for the replacement of equipment