World Rivers Day 2025: River Restoration Efforts in Wales
World Rivers Day 2025: Today, the world celebrates World Rivers Day, a global event that highlights the importance of rivers and their role in sustaining ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. Rivers are not just sources of water but the very lifelines of civilizations and biodiversity.
Reviving the Rivers of Wales
Over the past five years, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has been leading two multi-million-pound projects – LIFE Dee River and Four Rivers for LIFE – to restore and protect rivers in north and south Wales.
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River Dee (North Wales) and Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, and Usk (South Wales) have suffered due to climate change, habitat degradation, invasive species, and barriers to fish migration.
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These projects are working to reverse the damage through fencing, tree plantation, removal of obstacles, and habitat restoration.
LIFE Dee River Project
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Installed 26 miles (42 km) of fencing and planted 20,000 trees along riversides.
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Improved habitats by adding 3,090 tonnes of boulders and 5,330 tonnes of gravel.
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Removed or adapted 10 barriers to ease fish migration.
Four Rivers for LIFE Project
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Created 25 miles (40 km) of fencing and planted 37,000 native trees.
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Removed 5,000 metres of invasive species such as Himalayan balsam.
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Improved 8 barriers to fish migration, with more planned in 2025–26.
Upper Wye Project
Launched in 2024, this project aims to restore the upper reaches of the River Wye. In its first year:
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2,000 native trees were planted,
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farmland fencing was installed,
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and invasive species were controlled.
Restoring Habitats and Climate Resilience
Introducing boulders, gravel, and wood helps renaturalise river flows, create oxygen-rich environments, and provide safe habitats for migratory fish like Atlantic salmon, lamprey, bullhead, and shad.
Tree plantations along rivers act as natural shields against climate change, lowering water temperatures and protecting aquatic life. Controlling invasive plants like Himalayan balsam prevents erosion and protects native vegetation.
Global Significance
The River Dee, Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, Usk, and Wye are all designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), home to internationally important species including salmon, otters, shad, and water crowfoot.
However, freshwater ecosystems are declining rapidly – the 2024 Living Planet Report revealed an alarming 85% drop since 1970. The ongoing projects in Wales are crucial steps toward reversing this decline and preserving rivers for future generations.
World Rivers Day 2025 is a reminder that rivers are more than waterways – they are the pulse of life, culture, and survival. The restoration work in Wales stands as an inspiring global example that, with commitment and innovation, rivers can thrive once again.
