During the summer, Okome Mill was dismantled to allow aquatic organisms to migrate past the dam and reach spawning and nursery areas further upstream in the catchment. During electrofishing, shortly after the dam was dismantled and no longer posed a migration barrier, juvenile salmon were found upstream of the dam. Salmon have not been found in Stockån above Okome since the dam was built.
Fish are now migrating past
Just a few weeks after the dam was dismantled, juvenile salmon managed to move upstream. Salmon were not previously present upstream in the catchment. Historically, salmon have been present above the dam, but they have not been able to use their former spawning and nursery areas since the migration barrier blocked their passage. The falls at Okome Mill still remains difficult for fish to pass, which makes the ability of the juvenile salmon to swim past it an incredible achievement. Over time, the fall will be reduced by erosion, making migration easier for fish seeking to move upstream. Other fish species expected to benefit from the measure include eels, which are found in very low densities above the dam but can now easily migrate past it.
Okome mill after dismantling. Photo: Improve Aquatic LIFE.