On Saturday 22nd, 30 volunteers came to help plant stream side plants (Carex Sector) alongside the spawning race to improve the habitat for juvenile salmon as they live in the stream. This spawning race will prove to be a great asset in the continuing challenge to improve the salmon run in the Rangitata river. Afterwards a number stayed to listen to staff of RSL explain how the complex irrigation intake worked and also heard of the plans of a trapping system to prove the efficiency in excluding salmon fry from the scheme.

The poor return of adult Salmon to local rivers this year has prompted volunteers at the McKinnons Creek salmon hatchery to organise a planting day at the Rangitata South Irrigation Ltd spawning race,  in the hope of improving the habitat of young salmon that have hatched out from salmon eggs planted in the race. Stream side plants (Carex Secta) will be planted along one bank of the race to provide a natural environment for insects and to provide shelter for fish.  Chairman Phil deJoux says anyone can come and help, all that is needed is gloves, a hand trowel or pinch bar and some lunch. We will meet at the carpark on the south side of the Rangitata river bridge at Arundel at 9.30 on Saturday 22nd April.
Afterwards helpers can come along to the “open day” to be held at the Rangitata South Irrigation intake and ponds which will start at 2pm in the same area.
Contact Phil on 0274 422454 or <[email protected]>  if you would like to help.