Wales Nature week – supporting healthy rivers
Healthy rivers are important ecosystems. They provide freshwater and habitat for a wealth of plant and wildlife species.
They are the arteries of our Welsh landscape – flowing through our communities, shaping our countryside and supporting life.
Sadly, we know many of our rivers are not in the condition we’d like them to be in.
As well as the challenges of pollution and climate change, rivers have not been given the space they need to thrive. By dredging and straightening our rivers as well as forcing them into underground pipes we have limited the ability of our rivers to function naturally. This is having a negative impact on wildlife and our communities.
A haven for wildlife
Healthy rivers buzz with life. From kingfishers and otters to the salmon making their determined journey upstream, our waterways support incredible biodiversity.
Welsh rivers support some of the most rare and threatened species, including the freshwater pearl mussel and white-clawed crayfish.
Benefits beyond wildlife
Rivers aren't just important for nature – they matter hugely for people too. The gentle sound of flowing water, the cool shade of riverside trees – these experiences have proven benefits for our mental wellbeing. Many of us find peace walking along riverbanks or simply sitting beside flowing water.
Healthy rivers also boost our local economies though tourism and recreation opportunities. Wales attracts anglers from across the UK and beyond.
How we are helping to restore our rivers
Natural Resources Wales has an ambitious river restoration programme, which is tackling some of the main challenges to healthy riverine habitats. This includes
- Removing artificial barriers, such as weirs, to migratory fish.
- Re-introducing meanders to rivers which have been straighten, also known as ‘re-wiggling’ a river.
- Reducing bank erosion and siltation.
- Removing invasive species such as Himalayan balsam, which stifles native species.
This programme supplements our flagship, large scale projects such as Four Rivers for LIFE, Dee LIFE river, and Upper Wye Catchment Restoration.
How landowners can help
Small changes, such as planting new trees along river corridors, and introducing woody materials to rivers and streams can make a big difference to the health of delicate ecosystems.
We’ve produced a series of animations which explain how landowners can do their part to keep rivers and streams healthy and flowing.
These include:
A shared responsibility
Improving our rivers isn't a quick fix. The solutions to the issues are complex and will require investment and transformative behavioural and cultural change across all parts of society.
But we all have a responsibility to do our bit to protect the long-term health of our rivers. From decision-makers, company executives and right down to individual landowners and community members.
So next time you cross a bridge or walk along a riverbank, pause for a moment. That flowing water beneath you connects communities, nurtures nature and deserves our protection. By working together, we can ensure our rivers remain Wales' greatest natural treasures for generations to come.
River restoration in action
Read more about some of our projects in action: