Salmon found in River Leven after 150-year absence

The first salmon for more than 150 years has been found in North Yorkshire’s River Leven.

Until 2007 it was not possible for salmon to spawn in the River Leven, which is a tributary of the River Tees, because of an impassable weir which was built during the industrial revolution.

In 2007 the Environment Agency built a new fish pass on the weir at Leven Bridge, between Ingelby Barwick and Thornaby, and the first spawned salmon since the 18th century has now been found there.

The salmon measured 18 centimetres and was about one year old - meaning that at least one pair of adult salmon had swum up the River Tees to spawn and used the new fish pass on the River Leven.

Local fishing club secretary, John Gifford, said:“We are very pleased  to see this evidence of the good health of the river and grateful to the EA and Tees Rivers Trust for the work they are doing to ensure it continues to improve.”

As well as the salmon, very good numbers of brown trout were also recorded in the River Leven.