There are two two hydroelectric stations on the River Lee; at Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid. Inniscarra hydroelectric dam (19 MW) is the first dam upstream and was built in the 1950s. There are no bypasses to allow critically endangered eels (and salmon smolts) downstream. The elver trap at Innniscarra is also totally inadequate as it is located too far downstream from the dam. However, eels can also find their way upstream into the reservoirs by using the fish lock.
Also see this post entitled ‘Monitoring silver eel turbine passage mortalities on the Lower Shannon‘ which provides more information on the impact of ESB hydroelectric stations on the critically endangered European eel.
- PS: The salmon run in the River Lee above Inniscarra dam has, like all other ESB management rivers, collapsed. The salmon run below the dam is supported by releasing smolts reared in the salmon hatchery located at Carrigadrohid.