Why is the Doon under threat?
Scottish Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, a Spanish utility company, has the intention of significantly reducing the compensation flow of the River Doon from the legally defined 45 million gallons per day down to a figure potentially as low as 32 million gallons per day and diverting yet more water through their hydro facility on the Kirkcudbrightshire Dee.
The current compensation flow for the Doon was agreed as a result of water loss from the catchment when Loch Doon Dam was constructed in 1935 by an act of parliament. The River Doon already suffers from a 30% water loss from its catchment - greater than any other river in Scotland - primarily due to hydro activity it would appear that Scottish Power has used the introduction of new EU legislation, the Water Framework Directive, as a means of justifying its intention. The hugely increased volume of water being transferred into the Dee will enable the company to generate more electricity and consequently, more profit.
