Falls of Warness

Environmental description – tidal

The south west coast of Eday from Seal Skerry extending to Newbigging comprises of a low-lying dune systems with shingle and fine gravel along the upper shore and superficial sand overlaying rocky outcrops lower down. Following from Newbigging to beyond War Ness, sandstone cliffs with moderately exposed bedrock dominate the intertidal area. The habitat along the shoreline follows the typical pattern of communities associated with exposed to moderately exposed rocky shores. Some examples of the intertidal species found can be seen below.

From the shoreline the depth decreases steadily from 1m at the coast to between 34m and 51m in the main channel. The seabed ranges from sub-littoral sandbanks in the east of the test site area, to smooth scoured bedrock ridges and platforms towards the centre, with any mobile sands or gravels swept away. Surveys undertaken as part of the EIA process identified the sub-littoral areas as sparsely inhabited and fairly uniform in regard to the limited species in the area. Boulders and small patches of coarse sand can support Laminaria spp. and the associated red algae Rhodymenia palmate. The encrusting coralline algae, sea anemones, starfish and sea urchins can also be found. Images from ROV seabed surveys can be seen below.

Animals which are also known to pass through the test area include:

  • Harbour seals and grey seals from colonies on the nearby uninhabited islands of Muckle Green Holm and Little Green Holm, Faray and Holm of Faray, Seal Skerry and The Graand
  • The harbour porpoise is the only cetacean to be recorded regularly off the south west coast of Eday. Transitory species include white-beaked dolphin, minke whale and killer whale.
  • Herring, mackerel, haddock, ling, saithe and cod are all present in seas around Orkney, and non-commercial smaller species are also likely to be present
  • Shore birds such as ringed plover, meadow pipit and rock pipit can be found, together with cormorants on Little Green Holm
  • There is some evidence of otter activity along the south west Eday coastline

Inshore fishing takes place around the test area, targeting lobster and crab species. Orkney Ferries also use a route through the Fall of Warness during periods of strong flood and easterly gales. The tidal test site is located within a charted area to be avoided by vessels larger than 5000grt.

EMEC CLIENTS

Alstom

Alstom

hammerfest

hammerfest

Aquamarine

Aquamarine Power

atlantis

Atlantis Resources Corporation

Nautricity

Nautricity

Naval Group

Naval Group

openhydro

Open Hydro

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Orbital Marine

pelamis

pleamis

scottish_power

ScottishPower Renewables

seatricity

Seatricity

Sustainable Marine Energy

Sustainable Marine Energy

voith

Voith Hydro

Wello

Wello Oy

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