Fishway program

Types of fish ways

There are a range of types of fish passages being considered as part of the program including:

• Rock ramps - rock ramps are nature-like fishways providing passage and aquatic habitat through a simulated natural stream environment that contains pools, runs, riffles and rapids.
• Vertical slot fishways - vertical slot fishways are concrete channels extending from the top of the weir to the base. There is vertical slot to move water to the downstream pool. This creates a series of pools and small steps to enable fish to swim through.
• Fish locks - Fish locks are used to move fish over barriers between about five to 15 metres high. They include gates at the entrance, a holding chamber and gates at the exit. Fish locks attract fish into the holding chamber and when the exit gate opens the fish move from the chamber upstream.  of the barrier.

General information on fishways in NSW.

Assessing fish passage options

Barriers to fish passage must be considered when identifying the fish way type. Barriers can prevent the migration of native fish species and can have serious impacts for fish populations.

We consider a range of other factors when identifying the best fish passage for the specific location. These include:

• Height of structure.
• Land ownership
• River flows
• Downstream customers
• Other users of the waterway
• Geotechnical constraints
• Marine biologists
• Heritage management
• Operations and maintenance requirements
• Engineering design
• Procurement.

Projects currently being progressed include:

Eden Creek Weir Removal

Originally built in the late 1960s for drought protection and as a pumping pool for stock and domestic use, the weir no longer serves its original purpose. A detailed review was conducted on the Eden Creek Weir, which determined the structure as a barrier for fish passage within the system and recommended the removal of the weir.

The Eden Creek Weir removal project is a partnership between WaterNSW and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Forestry and Fisheries). This project is funded by the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy which aims to  improve fish passage in coastal catchments. The removal of the Eden Creek Weir will build on the previous fish passage removal works of Cookes Weir in the Richmond River, ensuring an unrestricted fish passage (more than 43km) within the system, re-establishing natural sediment movement.

Timeline

WaterNSW is completing environmental and cultural heritage studies to consider the potential benefits and impacts of the removal of Eden Creek Weir.

Once planning and approvals are complete , the removal of the Eden Creek Weir is scheduled to  commence in early 2026 (subject to rainfall activity and creek flows). The work will avoid  the breeding session for platypus.

Next steps for this project include:

Late 2025-Early 2026

• Finalisation of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
• Tender and award of the contractor

Early 2026

• Construction work to commence (weather permitting, outside of platypus breeding season)

Ongoing

• Licenses and approvals from Crown Lands, DPIRD (Forestry and Fisheries), National Parks

Updates

View the Eden Creek Weir Removal Fact Sheet. (PDF, 146.76 KB)

Removing the weir will restore Eden Creek’s natural flow and enhance fish passage, improve creek health and water quality.

Lake Cargelligo Inlet Regulator, Lachlan Valley

Design options development work is underway to install a fish passage at the Lake Cargelligo Inlet Regulator. Work will also include the replacement of the regulator. We are working closely with nearby property owners during this stage of works. The current works will help assess the feasibility of this project and produce a business case to approve the next stage of work.

Gunidgera Weir, Namoi Valley

Design options development work is underway to install a fish passage at Gunidgera Weir. We will work closely with nearby property owners during this stage of works. The current works will help assess the feasibility of this project and produce a business case to approve the next stage of work.

Marebone Break Regulator No.1, Macquarie Valley

Design options development work is underway to install a fish passage atMarebone Break Regulator No.1. We will work closely with nearby property owners during this stage of works. The current works will help assess the feasibility of this project and produce a business case to approve the next stage of work.

Other locations

More locations will be announced when finalised in consultation with local stakeholders and we will continue to work closely with local communities, nearby property owners and interested stakeholders as works progress.

Visit this section of the project webpage for regular updates on recently identified locations and the status of each fish passage.

For general enquiries on WaterNSW’s work, please email us or call the WaterNSW Helpdesk on 1300 662 077.