Every month, we celebrate a different river across Wales. It won’t just be our big, famous rivers, we want to tell you all about the numerous smaller but just as important ones too, and the tributaries and feeder streams.
We will showcase their rich history, rare flora and fauna as well as issues and threats these rivers face, along with the work that goes into protecting them.
Please use the interactive map to see the rivers as they are featured or below for a link to each one.
We hope you enjoy the series”¦
Afon Teifi
In six glacial llyns high in the western Cambrian Mountains begins what is often described as the longest river to flow entirely in Wales. Once renowned for its numbers of Atlantic salmon and sewin, the Afon Teifi is also home to real and unnerving vampire….
Afon Irfon
The last wolf in Wales, the last wife auction in Wales and the last Welsh Prince of Wales….the river Irfon has a strong connection to them all. This upper Wye tributary has been a relative stronghold for salmon, but another of its species is under threat….
Rhondda
A South Wales river used by a king in hiding and by Romans on campaign, whose catchment was changed irreversibly during the industrial era but is now home to some very rare monsters and beasts, and whose water quality is now improving….
Afon Gwenfro
Sections of this river covered over in Victorian times to protect local residents remain hidden to this day. Yet the Gwenfro, now defended by determined community groups, has always been held in great affection by those who have lived close by….
Afon Eden
This SAC-designated tributary of the Afon Mawddach flows partly through Eryri National Park in North Wales. Its dark waters hide an increasingly rare creature thought to be one of the motivations for the Romans to invade the British Isles….
The Eastern And Western Cleddau
Nowadays two of Wales worst performing SAC rivers, the Cleddaus in West Wales were once said to “abound in fish.” Their banks are rich in history, including unique fish methods and a village with a matriarchal society….
River Teme
A river reputed to be one of the fastest in the UK, yet still disappears completely in summer, whose history is shaped by giants and where Arthur and Guinevere are said to have been married. The fascinating upper Teme is the Severn’s second largest tributary ….
Afon Elan
The Elan flows from high on the moors of Ceredigion before entering Craig Goch, the first of a series of reservoirs built after 1893 to provide water for Birmingham. Its salmon were once so prolific, they caused a riot to break out in a nearby town ….
Afon Afan
This small spate river in South Wales is a rare but fragile success story. Ravaged by pollution from mines and metal industries, the river is now recovering thanks to the efforts of a small band of determined locals …
River Ely
One of the true industrial rivers of South Wales, the Ely was once so polluted that it was said to occasionally run red. Its water quality is improving but the banks are home to another deadly source of poison …