Welcome to our latest Four Rivers for LIFE Newsletter!

We’re excited to share the progress being made across Wales to restore river habitats, improve fish migration, and inspire communities to connect with their local rivers.

From barrier removals unlocking miles of spawning grounds, to schools discovering the wonders of the River Usk, and even a spotlight on our work featured by BBC Countryfile—there’s plenty to celebrate.

Dive in to see how our projects and partnerships are helping rivers thrive and shaping a healthier future for wildlife and people alike.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Four Rivers for LIFE Team!

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Fish passage improvement completed on the River Teifi

In November we completed work to improve fish passage on the Afon Siedi (near Llandysul), an important spawning tributary of the River Teifi SAC.

A weir on the downstream reaches of the Siedi included high vertical jumps which made the structure a significant barrier to salmon and trout, and a complete obstacle to weaker swimming fish such as lamprey and eel.

The improvements will allow fish to access good quality spawning gravels throughout the Siedi River catchment. 

To read more about this scheme please click the link here

Image below left to right: Before improvement work and after work.

Culvert removal improves river habitat for migratory fish

We have replaced a culvert pipe (left image) with a clear span bridge (right image) to restore access for all fish species and restore natural river dynamics such as gravel movement on the Afon Lwynor (near Cynghordy), a tributary of the Llandovery Bran (River Tywi catchment).

The 12 metre long pipe restricted the river, preventing fish access to valuable habitat upstream and disrupting natural processes. 

The work has unlocked approximately 4.5km of habitat, benefiting salmon, trout, bullhead, river lamprey and brook lamprey.

Read more about this scheme here

Brecon weir smolt pass is complete!

One of the largest fish migration projects we have worked on so far - Brecon weir smolt (young salmon) fish pass - is now complete! This work will significantly improve conditions for declining populations of fish including the endangered Atlantic salmon and will hopefully be a step towards the recovery of the species in the River Usk. Natural Resources Wales will continue its important smolt tracking project to monitor the success of this scheme. We would like to thank MidWest Plant Ltd for doing the work. To read the full press release click on this link.

Lights, camera, action!

Thank you BBC Countryfile and Matt Baker for visiting us a few weeks ago to film at National Trust Cymru Tŷ Mawr Farm in the Brecon Beacons. The programme was aired on Sunday 7 December and if you missed it you can watch it again on BBC iPlayer. The feature focussed on the plight of the Atlantic salmon and highlighted the wood introduction work we have done on the River Tarell and the role of trees in river dynamics. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Trust for allowing us to do this work and to the River Restoration Centre for their help in planning the scheme.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE RIVER TYWI:

Work has been progressing on the River Tywi SAC over the last few years. Seven barriers to fish migration have now been adapted or removed. We have worked with several farms, specifically along the Dulais and Cothi rivers, to create riparian buffer strips. We have also worked with local landowners, providing advice about more sustainable farming practices. Read our latest blog to learn more about all the work our project officers have completed as part of efforts to restore the river’s natural structure and improve access for migrating fish.

Inspiring young minds along the River Usk

As mentioned in the previous Issue of the Newsletter, the Bannau Brycheiniog Education Team have been delivering River Investigation Days in local schools around Brecon and the River Usk this year.

The River Investigation Days are delivered on behalf of the Four Rivers for LIFE project with the aim of raising awareness about the River Usk and some of the challenges it faces. The children are also given the opportunity to use the interactive 3D river table to learn how rivers work.

Find out more about the work by reading this blog from the Bannau Brycheiniog Education Team.

NEWS FROM OUR PROJECT PARTNERS:

Unprecedented interest in next year's River Restoration Centre Conference

Plans are well under way for the River Restoration Centre (RRC) Conference next April in Newport, south Wales. This year’s event features their most ambitious programme yet, with 90 talks across 20 themed sessions—covering natural processes, species reintroductions, social benefits, NFM, barrier removal, and much more. The conference is partnering with the Four Rivers for LIFE, and the project will be hosting exclusive site visits showcasing its restoration projects. Find out more by clicking here

Forward look:

Coming up in the next newsletter: River Restoration Centre Conference - from beavers to AI, find out how river restoration is benefitting from these influencers! Working with farmers - how are the weather stations supporting farmers to farm sustainably.  Restoring freshwater pearl mussel populations to the rivers of south Wales - learn more about the surveying, monitoring and breeding work happening with the team.

Keep up to date with our progress:

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Project Partners: