Agenda item

We received a report regarding the the latest activities to help restore the River Wye including presenting the Water Crowfoot Species Action Plan.

In doing so, the following information was noted:

·        The Riverside Code booklet, published in April 2026 by the Friends of the River Wye, is designed and illustrated to help people respect, protect and enjoy the River Wye.

·        The Charter for the Rights of the River Wye was launched in May 2026 during the Hay Festival and has been adopted widely by partners across the Wye Catchment, including a Pledge on behalf of the Wye Valley National Landscape Partnership.

·        Haskoning Ltd. has been progressing with the first phase of the Wye Catchment Management Plan.

·        The Environment Agency has published the River Wye Water Quality 2025 Data Analysis Report which identifies that water temperature in the Wye may have a greater influence on algal blooms than nutrient pollution.

·        DEFRA and Welsh Government £1million research programme for the Wye is now underway with a 3-year Living Lab approach led by University of West of England (UWE) supported by the Herefordshire Rural Hub.

·        The fifth and final Species Action Plan focusing on a Ranunculus Water Crowfoot in the River Wye, has been published.

·        The Wye Valley National Landscape Team and Friends of the River Wye are collaborating on a project to investigate the decline of Water Crowfoot, with funding from the Nature Networks Fund in Wales and DEFRA in England.

·        Other partners in the Catchment are progressing with projects including the Wye & Usk Foundation Resilient Rivers initiative on the River Monnow and Natural Resources Wales’ Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project.

The report highlighted the extensive and growing activity taking place across the River Wye catchment to support the river's recovery. Interest in the River Wye and the recently launched Charter for the Rights of the River Wye continues to spread nationally, with increasing public awareness and engagement. While the environmental challenges facing the river remain complex, there was a strong sense that progress is being made through collaboration between farmers, volunteers, local authorities, environmental organisations and statutory agencies. The update brought together information from numerous sources to provide a broad overview of the work currently underway, including action plans, management plans, workshops, charters and partnership initiatives.

Particular attention was given to the Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus) Species Action Plan, which is the fifth and final species action plan produced for the Wye Valley National Landscape. The plan has been developed in close cooperation with Friends of the River Wye and includes monitoring work through the Big Ranunculus Watch Project. Early observations suggest that Water Crowfoot may be recovering in parts of the river, with river users reporting increased growth compared with recent years. However, concerns remain about the effects of low river levels and unusually high water temperatures, which could create additional pressures on the river ecosystem.

We welcomed the ongoing research and monitoring work, including the use of drone technology to establish better baseline data on Water Crowfoot distribution and condition. This monitoring is intended to provide a clearer year-on-year picture of whether recovery is taking place, particularly as the species has disappeared entirely from some locations. It was noted that similar declines in Water Crowfoot are being observed in other rivers across the UK, suggesting wider environmental factors may be affecting river health.

The Environment Agency provided an update on its enhanced river monitoring programme, including the deployment of remote monitoring devices throughout the Wye and Lugg catchments. These sensors continuously collect data on water conditions, such as temperature and indicators of algal blooms, allowing trends to be tracked over time and shared publicly. The data is helping agencies better understand the impacts of climate change on the river, with temperatures reaching unprecedented levels of around 27°C in some locations. While this information provides valuable evidence for future management decisions, it also highlights the increasing threat posed by climate pressures.

Discussion also focused on potential responses to low river flows and rising temperatures. While increasing releases from reservoirs may appear to be a simple solution, experts explained that the issue is complex, with potential unintended consequences, including effects on abstraction licences and river temperature dynamics. Instead, the emerging Catchment Management Plan is looking at wider catchment resilience measures, including habitat restoration and strategic tree planting, alongside a broader understanding of river health and climate adaptation.

Concerns were raised regarding elevated phosphate levels in the River Lugg. It was explained that the Lugg has particularly stringent nutrient targets due to its high conservation value and that nutrient pollution originates from multiple sources, although agricultural land use remains the main contributor. Significant regulatory and advisory work has already been undertaken, including more than 1,200 farm inspections across the Wye catchment since 2022. While these measures are helping to reduce nutrient inputs, there remains a substantial gap between current phosphorus levels and the targets required to achieve favourable ecological conditions. Partners continue to work together to identify additional measures needed to close this gap.

JAC Members requested ongoing updates as the work progresses, particularly as the Wye Catchment Management Plan develops further. Future stages of the plan will include consultation on options for addressing key environmental challenges, creating opportunities for wider debate and stakeholder engagement.

We resolved:

(i)              To welcome the on-going activity across the Wye Catchment to help restore the River Wye, including the expanding adoption of the Charter for the Rights of the River Wye.

(ii)             To endorse the Water Crowfoot Species Action Plan, as the fifth and final Species Action Plan of the Wye Valley National Landscape.