12 



Appendices to Twenty -fourth Annual Report 



lade. This first dam-dyke is a most substantial structure about 70 

 feet long. The sill is of iron. The down-stream face is an abrupt 

 concave slope of smooth cement, and the lower margin of this 

 slope is bound with a broad flange of iron similar to the sill. 

 There is no apron, and immediately below the lower iron beam a 

 very deep pool occurs. There is no gap or fish-pass, nor is there 

 any lade passing off from the dyke or water available for such lade. 

 The structure stands as a sheer iron-shod wall right across the 

 river, and has apparently been erected merety for the purpose of 

 protecting the very long paved apron of the weir above. In my 

 opinion it is a total obstruction to the ascent of salmon, and as such 

 is the more objectionable since it is not of service in diverting 

 water. I understand it was erected only some ten years ago in 

 place of a less serious obstruction which previously existed here, 

 and which had the same function as the present dyke. It seems to 

 me clear that in allowing such an obstruction to remain, the general 

 interests of the salmon fisheries of the district are seriously injured, 

 and that the structure should either be entirely removed or be pro- 

 vided with an efficient fish -pass. 



From this to the main weir above, the river was also diy, since it 

 is from the main weir that the river Ayr is, in low water conditions, 

 sent down Messrs. Findlay's lade. 



The main weir is not thrown directly across the river but at a 

 slant, so that the intake of the lade which is on the right bank is 

 considerably further down the river than the left extremity of the 

 weir. The crest of the weir is approximately 230 feet long. The 

 down-stream face is 24 feet long, and is succeeded by the long 

 paved apron alreadj^ referred to. The height of the weir is about 

 6 feet. The structure is most solidly put together and bears signs 

 of having been repaired and altered from time to time, and of being 

 supervised with care. It would appear that the original weir was 

 not so high as at present, since a massive iron copeing with a 

 rounded up-stream surface and a perpendicular down-stream 

 surface about a foot in height rests on what appears to have been 

 the original sill. Close to the left bank there is a large sluiced 

 bye-pass cut down to the level of the bed of the river. It is 14 

 feet across, and is securely closed by a sluice gate with rack and 

 pinion action. From the presence of a large bank of sand close 

 to and just above the sluice, I formed the opinion that the bye- 

 wash had not been used for some time. There is also a large scour 

 pipe some 18 or 20 feet further out the weir. This appears to be 

 more frequently used. The pipe is about 3 feet in diameter, and 

 passes through the substance of the weir. Close to the right bank 

 there is further a wooden slap or gap in the sill of the weir so 

 arranged that it can apparently be boarded up. All these openings 

 are provided for the conveyance of water down the natural river 

 channel at such times as it is not wanted in the lade or when the 

 lade sluices may require repairing. They have apparently no 

 connection with the possible ascent of fish. The lade sluices are 

 four in number, one being at a higher level than the others. The 

 sluices are protected by two wide-sparred hecks. There is no 

 attempt to conform in any way to the b}^e-laws of the Salmon Acts 

 which provide for the ascent and descent of fish. With the re- 



