Removal of the Kernansquillec dam over the River Léguer
Topics: Habitat & Biodiversity, How to do River Restoration,
Regions: Western Europe, Published: 01-01-2010
The Léguer is a small river in Brittany which flows over 58 km into the English Channel after crossing the town of Lannion. The 280 km² catchment area consists of a narrow, entrenched granite valley. This first-category watercourse, classified as a “river with migratory fish” (rivière à poissons migrateurs) under the French legislation, is one of the region’s most renowned
salmon rivers.
The Vallée paper mill - one of the biggest factories in the area - used to be located on the banks of the Léguer at Belle-Isle-en-Terre.
Between 1920 and 1922, a dam was built across the Léguer in order to supply the mill with electricity. Providing a livelihood for over a thousand people, the mill and dam symbolised the progress and prosperity of the region.