River Restoration Project

Since 2017, Afonydd Cymru has been running a nationwide Fisheries Habitat Restoration Project. Working with Natural Resources Wales, regional Rivers Trusts, and dedicated volunteers to carry out surveys of certain river catchments:

Afonydd Teifi, Tywi, Eastern & Western Cleddau, Mawddach, Clwyd, Usk, Thaw, Severn, Welsh Dee, Ogmore, N. Ceredigion rivers (Ystwyth, Aeron, Wyre & Arth), North Wales rivers (Gwyrfai, Seiont, Ogwen, Llynfi & Leri) have all been walked over / comprehensively surveyed by qualified Afonydd Cymru & Rivers Trust staff.

In 2020/21 we are surveying: Afonydd Taff & Ely, Rhymni, Ebbw & Sirowey, Neath, Tawe, Loughor, Gwendraeth, Taff & Cowin, Nevern, Dysynni, Dwyryd, Artro, Dwyfor, Erch, Glaslyn, Conwy & Dee.

An extensive report is generated from each catchment survey, including analysis of existing data, which highlight all fisheries habitat improvement opportunities: Barriers to migration / Habitat fragmentation (weirs, trash dams, perched culverts), Riparian management opportunities (fencing, tree planting, soil management, invasive weeds, erosion, stock access / poaching, rubbish, revetment), etc. This information feeds into a GIS database and a document detailing the key survey results and proposals for restoration.