19 September 2025

The installation of a new eel pass at the Newby Bridge gauging station on the River Leven at Windermere is a significant step in enhancing the local ecosystem and addressing the decline in eel populations.

European eels, are classed as ‘critically endangered’ due to various factors, including habitat loss, pollution, and barriers like weirs and dams that prevent their migration. The River Leven, which connects Lake Windermere to the sea, is an essential migration route for eels, and the Newby Bridge station has long been a major obstacle for them.

The new pebble resin eel pass replaces an older pass and uses more natural material which mimics the surface that eels have evolved to crawl over. Water is provided to the pass by pumps during low flow conditions, when eels would find it especially hard to pass the weir.

The pass aims to provide a safe and effective route for eels to travel upstream and is crucial for their lifecycle. Adult eels migrate to the Sargasso Sea to spawn, while juvenile eels travel upstream to live in lakes and rivers. By ensuring that the passage is open and safe, the Environment Agency is not only supporting the eel population but also improving biodiversity within the River Leven ecosystem.

In addition to helping eels, the pass will benefit other species that rely on eels as a food source, such as fish, mammals and invertebrates. This move is part of a broader effort to improve the overall environmental quality of the region and protect vulnerable species. The new eel pass at Newby Bridge is a proactive measure that highlights the importance of restoring natural migration routes for species for the long-term health of our waterways.