IT WAS just a few years ago that an environmental group was told trout breeding in a local artificial stream would be impossible.

But now the Environment Agency’s Romsey office is celebrating the discovery of fish eggs in the Barge Canal.

In 2013, a survey conducted by EA officers concluded the man-made stream, which runs through Fishlake Meadows and alongside Canal Walk, harboured next to no life at all.

Following the results – and the addition of a new Water Framework Directive which says that each water course should be as good as it can be – officers decided something needed to be done.

The River Test, which the stream runs from, is a natural breeding group for trout but none wanted to venture upstream to the Barge Canal.

After extensive tests, it was discovered that wooden weirs, which are likened to railway sleepers, were slowing the river down and allowing silt to settle.

Local EA officer Dominic Langley, a fishery technical specialist, said the solution was obvious.

“The stream itself was slow and muddy,” he added.

“At some points the silt was half-a-metre deep.

“When we conducted our survey (which involved using a light electronic pulse to attract fish) the body of water failed with flying colours.

“The reason for this was because this is part of the Test and it should have trout in it.“In the end the answer was obvious.

“Trout are entirely dependant on naturally fast-flowing water – this was not present in the Barge Canal because of the weirs previously installed.”

The team then set about removing the weirs which were originally put in place to create a deeper body of water.

"The weirs had been placed in a misguided attempt to turn the stream into a pond,” added Dominic.“Ecologically is was really bad news.

“We removed the wooden blocks a couple of years ago (April 2013) and just had to let the stream repair and reset itself.”

Last week, during a routine check, officers discovered trout in the Barge Canal and upon closure closer inspection found a number of egg nests buried in the gravel along the body of water, which reaches as far as Tadburn Lake

Speaking about the findings, Dominic added: “I think it is absolutely brilliant.

"The reason it is really good is that in every wildlife conservation the ultimate goal is to make things right so the species can be self sustaining, so we do not have to intervene at all.

“The fact this has happened in a stream, which we were told would be impossible to breed in because the habitat was so damaged, is just incredible!”

The eggs are expected to hatch in spring next year.