This approach emphasizes sustainability and ecological sensitivity, providing a method for eels to navigate barriers like dams and weirs without relying on mechanical systems.
The use of pebble resin not only creates a natural environment that mimics the eel’s habitat but also ensures durability and maintenance ease. The innovation focuses on creating structures that allow for natural flow, reducing stress on the eels and improving their migration success rates.
A.E. Yates involvement in consulting with the hydrology teams at the Environment Agency was for the design of a new passive eel pass highlights a collaborative effort to enhance fish passage solutions. This partnership involves:
Hydrological Assessments: Working closely with hydrology teams to understand the specific water flow conditions and environmental factors at the gauging weir ensuring that the eel pass is designed to accommodate the natural flow of the river.

We were in involved in the installation of a pebble resin eel pass in collaboration with the Environment Agency. This project aimed for eels to navigate through man-made barriers. The use of pebble resin mimicked natural riverbeds, helping the migration of eels and other species while minimising environmental impact.
A temporary damming system was installed to provide safe access for workers during construction. Given the river’s volatility and tendency for flash flooding, the team worked efficiently to complete the installation promptly, minimising the time the damming system was in place. This approach ensured both the safety of the operatives and the protection to local business and residents from flooding.
The project included the installation of a stainless-steel eel pass ramp, which was lifted into place via a 50-tonne crane. It was securely bolted to a newly poured concrete structure and covered in a pebble resin material for added durability. During construction, it was discovered that years of heavy water flows had significantly eroded the concrete base of the existing weir. To address this, the team proactively strengthened the weir by pouring concrete to fill the erosion-induced voids, effectively future-proofing the structure against further degradation