This geocache is hidden near to Oakenshaw weir: a weir that was built to divert water to two large reservoirs, which supplied water to the long-since-closed Oakenshaw Print Works.
The weir is a popular play spot for locals. The woodland and ‘fish pass’ (the channel that goes around the weir) were both created on the site in 2017, in an attempt to improve the habitat for wildlife.
Answer the questions to receive the precise Lat and Long coordinates!
Question 1
What effects can weirs and other man-made, in-river structures (such as culverts, dams, fords, locks and sluices) have on fish populations?
- They can prevent fish from accessing good quality feeding, breeding and sheltering habitat, can make it easier for predators to catch them, and can prevent different populations of fish mixing together, which can reduce their genetic strength. (N 53° 46.733)
OR
- Fish are quite fond of these features because they’re a great place for social gatherings, and they help prevent nuisance fish from the neighbouring stretches of river from visiting their patch. (N 53° 46.717)
Question 2
Wild Atlantic salmon are now a protected species in the UK, as their numbers are rapidly decreasing in British rivers, and globally. What can you do to help?
- Eat lots of salmon, use lots of fossil fuels, create lots of plastic pollution so that it ends up in the rivers and seas. (W 002° 23.669)
OR
- Reduce your use of fossil fuels to reduce your contribution to climate change, don’t buy/eat salmon from fish farms (they can spread deadly lice to wild salmon), follow the Marine Conservation Society’s current advice on eating fish. (W 002° 23.667)
Enter your chosen coordinates HERE to see if you answered both questions correctly!