Salmon return to Levern Water in Barrhead after 170 years

Salmon have returned to the Levern Water in Barrhead for the first time in 170 years, thanks to an award-winning river restoration project by East Ren Council and SEPA.

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 18 November 2025 10:14

Following the removal of two weirs which blocked salmon swimming upstream, the Clyde River Foundation have found evidence that salmon have spawned in the new section of river in Carlibar Park.

Completed in 2023, a £2.8 million investment enabled a wider, more natural river channel to be restored to the Levern Water, with the ability to better absorb flooding and encourage more fish and wildlife. The project has been hailed as a successful demonstration of re-engineering a river habitat for the benefit of an endangered species (salmon) in a report from the Clyde River Foundation.

The river restoration has just been awarded the ‘Best Biodiversity Net Gain or Enhancement on a Brownfield Project’ at the highly esteemed Brownfield Awards in Manchester on 13 November.

People are also now able to enjoy an attractive riverside greenspace and connected to the path network in adjacent Carlibar Park, close to the shops and services in Barrhead town centre.

Carlibar Primary School has been involved in monitoring the health and biodiversity of the Levern Water throughout its transformation with support from the Clyde River Foundation's Clyde in the Classroom initiative. Pupils helped to rear trout in their classrooms before releasing them into the restored river.

East Renfrewshire Council Leader Owen O'Donnell said: “'I am not sure that many of us at the start of this project thought that we would see salmon return to Barrhead so soon. This is a great achievement and I’m delighted that the project has been recognised with a prestigious Brownfield Award. The restoration of the Levern Water has delivered huge benefits for our local community in Barrhead - regenerating derelict land, providing attractive greenspace and helping to future proof against flooding and the impact of climate change.”

SEPA’s Lucie Stewart, River Restoration Specialist for the Water Environment Fund, said: “From day one, this project has been an absolute delight to work on. Not only has it provided an essential greenspace for the community to thrive but welcomed biodiversity in abundance back into the area.

“SEPA's proud to be part of the Levern Water project through the Water Environment Fund (WEF), supporting essential work that enables more rivers to be opened up and delivering for communities across Scotland.”

Dr Willie Yeomans, Catchment Manager, Clyde River Foundation said: “Our monitoring revealed the immediate success of the project, with juvenile salmon found above both former weirs at the first time of asking. Having initially identified the problem, we are pleased to have played a part in restoring salmon to the Levern Water through Barrhead.”

Local residents are now using enjoying the benefits of the improved river and surrounding greenspace.

One local resident commented: “Carlibar Park and the Levern burn for years was a part of Barrhead that most avoided and many had forgotten about. Despite its central location providing a convenient pathway to move between one end of town to the other easily, years of neglect coupled with high levels of antisocial behaviour made the area both undesirable and unwelcoming. The act of restoring the Levern burn to a more natural state coupled with enhancing the surrounding greenspace has transformed Carlibar Park and Levern Waters to a thriving community space. The project has provided a space for all ages to spend time, boosting mental and physical health of local people while also improving the local biodiversity. It’s popular location now - especially with dog walkers like me and I am grateful for the time and investment that has been made to reclaim the Levern Water environment.”

Another local said: “Carlibar Park has always been a really central pathway to Barrhead ever since we moved here however I used to frequently avoid it for fear of my wee ones stepping on broken glass or worse due to the antisocial behaviour in the area. I’d find myself taking long detours to avoid a journey full of “don’t touch that” and “don’t step on that”. I’m so glad there is now a local outdoor space for my girls to play and explore safely. The new wildlife in the area is great as well – my eldest loves bird spotting and we’re excited to see if we can spot any fish once they’re released. The walk home from the library is no longer rushed but something we have to plan extra time into our day for so we can enjoy it. It’s become Barrhead’s hidden gem.”

Led by East Renfrewshire Council, the project was funded through £1.6 million from the Scottish Government's Water Environment Fund, administered by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and £1.1 million from the Scottish Government's Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, with a further £0.1 million contribution from Sustrans. Project partners included the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Clyde River Foundation, designers Aecom and construction company Amco Giffen.

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