Publication - Research and analysis
A fish counter network for monitoring Scottish salmon stocks
This report outlines the SG's need for data on salmon returning to rivers, and the different types of in-river fish counter that are currently available. The report identifies the locations of existing fish counters and some other sites that may be suitable for new optical or resistivity counters.
Appendix A
Fish counters in Scotland
To note, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) resistivity counters ceased to function after 2018 and a phased installation of replacement systems is underway since 2022.
| Location | Organisation | Type | In place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clunie Dam | Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) | Resistivity | 1953-2018 |
| Pitlochry Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1953-2018 |
| Tor Achilty Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1955-2108 |
| Garry Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1956-2018 |
| Meig Diversion Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1957-2018 |
| Lochay Falls | SSE | Resistivity | 1960-2018 |
| Stronuich Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1961-2018 |
| Beannachran Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1963-2018 |
| Aigas Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1963-2018 |
| Awe Barrage | SSE | Resistivity | 1964-2018 |
| Blackwater | Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust | Adult trap | 1965- |
| Girnock Burn | SG Marine Directorate | Adult trap | 1966- |
| Luichart Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1968-2018 |
| Dundreggan Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1969-2018 |
| Mucomir Power Station | SSE | Resistivity | 1980-2018 |
| Logie | SG Marine Directorate | Resistivity | 1980-2023 |
| Dinnet Burn | River Dee Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 1980- |
| Shin Diversion Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1988-2018 |
| Baddoch Burn | SG Marine Directorate | Adult trap | 1988- |
| River Ericht | Tay District Salmon Fishery Board | Resistivity | 1990-2010 |
| West Water | SG Marine Directorate | Resistivity | 1990-2020 |
| Morsgail | SG Marine Directorate | Resistivity | 1991-1995 |
| River Gimersta | SG Marine Directorate | Resistivity | 1994-2004 |
| Kilmorack Dam | SSE | Resistivity | 1996-2018 |
| Duchally Diversion Weir | SSE | Resistivity | 1997-2018 |
| River Ettrick | The Tweed Foundation | Optical (Vaki) | 1997-2009 |
| Beltie Burn | River Dee Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 1999- |
| Helmsdale | Helmsdale Board and the SG Marine Directorate | Resistivity |
2000-2020 2025- |
| Truim Intake | SSE | Resistivity | 2006- |
| Gala Water | The Tweed Foundation | Optical (Vaki) | 2007- |
| Loch Doon | Ayrshire Rivers Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2007- |
| Tongland Dam | Galloway Fisheries Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2007- |
| River Isla | Deveron, Bogie and Isla Fisheries Trust | Resistivity | 2007- |
| Whiteadder | The Tweed Foundation | Optical (Vaki) | 2010- |
| Blantyre Weir | Clyde River Foundation | Optical (Vaki) | 2012-2015 |
| Spey Dam | The Spey Fishery Board | Resistivity | 2013- |
| Culter Burn | River Dee Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2014- |
| Carron Dam | River Forth Fisheries Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2015- |
| River Ugie | Ugie District Salmon Fishery Board | Resistivity | 2015- |
| River Evelix | Fishery proprietor | Optical (Vaki) | 2015- |
| Catrine Weir | Ayrshire Rivers Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2016- |
| Morar fish pass | SSE | Resistivity | 2016-2017 |
| River Arkaig | Proprietor | Optical (Vaki) | 2016- |
| River Deveron | Deveron, Bogie and Isla Fisheries Trust | Hydroacoustic | 2017-2019 |
| River Muick | River Dee Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2017- |
| Cowie Water | Stonehaven and District Angling Association and the River Dee Trust | Optical (Vaki) | 2017- |
| River Ettrick | The Tweed Foundation | Optical (Vaki) | 2018- |
| River Forsa (Mull) | Fishery proprietor | Optical (Vaki) | 2019- |
| Knockando Burn, Spey | The Spey Foundation | Optical | 2019- |
| River Ayr | Ayrshire Rivers Trust and the SG Marine Directorate | Resistivity | 2021- |
| River Deveron | Deveron, Bogie and Isla Fisheries Trust | Hydroacoustic | 2022- |
| River Laxford | Atlantic Salmon Trust | Hydroacoustic | 2022- |
| River Creed | Stornoway Angling Association | Optical (TiVa) | 2025- |
Contact
Email: craig.robinson@gov.scot