[Mike Barrio]

Hi folks

Interesting piece in the P&J the other day about the turbine that John Riley has set up in the old generating station in Strathdon at Semeil Farm

There had been one there historically and he has installed a new "corkscrew" type turbine in the same location. I believe it gets switched on this week? I'd love to see it working!

It is not in the Don by the way, I think it works on a kind of lade system, so it shouldn't upset the path of migratory fish.

Best wishes
Mike

[Mike Barrio]

Have been hunting through my stock pics and from what I could work out, I think the sluice or lade must work from somewhere around Newe Weir where the fishery board catch salmon for the River Don Hatchery?

The photo below shows what I think is the old sluice for the generator system???



Was there not a generator building to the right of this photo? I think so?

But, anyway, this is the picture that I have in my mind of where the new "screw" generator has been set up ...... I could be wrong

Best wishes
Mike

[Graham Ritchie]

There is also a small hydro generator on a mill lade off Castle Forbes beat 2, just above the footbridge.

[Mike Barrio]

That's right, I remember seeing that a few years ago ....... the one below the high footbridge downstream from the castle?

Cheers
Mike

[Paul Rankine]

Hi Mike,
            I did not realise that you were so old ! 
Yes, unless we are mistaken , you are right about the building.  . 
However , I think that the corkscrew is just upstream of the pic ?

I agree that it will be interesting to hear if it works .

Paul.

[Mike Barrio]

Must confess that I'm not keen on major dams and the effect that these can have on our rivers, but these smaller lade systems can apparently provide enough power for a village, so it could hopefully work well.

Best wishes
Mike

[Paul Rankine]

Mike ,
         I know. I share your concerns  , let me say .
 Paul.

[Jim Eddie]

Speaking about lades, there is or was one on the North Esk, it runs from the Morphie Dykes to the bridge at kinaber , we used to electro fish it to get the Salmon  who had taken a wrong turn back into the river. The amount of Salmon we used to put back in the river was unbelievable.

 

Jim