26th December 2009

No pictures today - but at last the snow is starting to melt, the river level is rising and we are generating electricity.

Spotted a very large salmon (Over 2ft long) in the inlet channel. It has presumably found it's way up the fish ladder and then had been sucked into the inlet channel when we turned the hydro on. The salmon stayed for about 5 minutes and then swam back into the river and made it's way upstream to the spawning grounds.

Also saw a kingfisher!

It's amazing how much rubbish we are having to drag off the inlet screen. We would expect there to be branches etc but who is throwing in the hub caps, paint tins, drain pipe and Cagoule that we have retrieved?

22nd December 2009

We've been down on site today to witness the final part of the commissioning programme and to receive training on the on-going maintenance requirements.

We are in the midst of the heaviest snowfall in Settle for many years and so conditions couldn't be more challenging!

The picture shows a marker that has been attached to the fishpass wall. This will enable us to visually monitor the level of water flowing down the fishpass and to ensure that it does not fall below the threshold specified by the Environment Agency.

A snowman looking after the bottle of champagne which will be cracked open to toast the future success of Settle Hydro.

Temporary dam being removed from the inlet screen to allow water to flow through the screw.

Manual sluice gate being opened to fill the inlet channel with water

Some final adjustments being made to the drive belts that link the gearbox to the generator

Debris being removed from the inlet screen. This will need to be done on a regular basis as part of the daily maintenance routine.

With the current level of water in the river, the weir almost dries up when water is diverted through the screw.

The flow of water through the fishpass is always maintained at a level which enables the fish to negotiate the ladder.

20th December 2009

It's 'Snowtime'

Sue (Steve's partner) posing on the walkway

Get that man out of the way!!

The green wellies are actually quite fetching!

The river is quite low at the moment - but wait and see what happens when the snow melts!

An iceberg hovering around the Screw outlet!

16th December 2009

The site is now fully, wheelchair accessible.

All the guards and railings are in place

It's looking really tidy!

Woodwork has been painted to match the Screw!

You can just about see the screw through the safety guards!

Steady flow of visitors already - even in the rain!

If all goes to plan we will be up and running on

23rd December

11th December 2009

We are now in the final stages of the build.

This picture shows the grills that cover the inlet channel.

Access for maintenance will be through the gate which will be padlocked shut under normal conditions.

The galvanised railing that spans the inlet channel is fitted directly above the coarse screen (which will stop large debis from entering the screw).

A ladder has been bolted to the far side of the inlet channel to enable access into the channel for screen cleaning.

All the grills have been installed over the screw. These are, unfortunately, necessary for health & safety reasons.

A ventilated cowl has been fitted over the generator on the front face of the Powerhouse.

Stan and his men inspect the small sluice gate which will be fitted in the inlet channel to control the flow of water to the Waterwheel.

The almost finished hydro viewed from the far side of the river.

We are very pleased with how the hydro fits into the surrounding landscape - it looks as if it has always been there!

Just a few small jobs to be finished off before the final commissioning, training and handover on 23rd December.

3rd December 2009

Stan and team have started to install the safety covers that will prevent anyone coming into contact with the screw.

The door to the Powerhouse is being given a coat of paint

The carpark has been surfaced with tarmac

These are some of the guards that will be fixed in place over the next few days.

Commencement of Geneneration is now scheduled for the week before Christmas. Before then, a few of us will be given some training on routine maintenance and fault finding.