The UK’s 10 most improved rivers

map.jpg This map shows where each of the 10 most improved rivers in the UK are located. Click on the next image to learn more about each river. river-wandle.jpg The River Wandle in London flows through Mitcham, Morden, Wimbledon and Wandsworth in south-west London. In the 1960s the River Wandle was so polluted that it was officially declared a sewer. Thanks to better environmental regulation, a fish stocking programme and huge local enthusiasm for the river , it has transformed over the past 20 years and has become one of the best urban coarse fisheries in the country. windsor.jpg In the 1950s the tidal Thames was a biologically dead river, but hundreds of habitat enhancement projects has helped it become a thriving waterway with almost 90km of river being restored or enhanced. The River Thames improved to such an extent that it was internationally recognised last year after being awarded the International Thiess Riverprize , celebrating outstanding achievement in river management and restoration. river-wear.jpg The River Wear is now one of the top two places in the country to catch salmon, with more fish present on the river than ever before. It's also home to other wildlife such as water voles, otters, invertebrates, plants and flowers, which have returned to the river. A huge investment in the sewage infrastructure, as well as work with farmers and industry along the river, has helped to dramatically improve the quality of the water in the River Wear. stour-worcs.jpg The River Stour in Worcestershire used to be famed for its rainbow-coloured dyes caused by local carpet manufacturing companies pumping waste into the river. The problem was compounded by an out-of-date sewage system that couldn't cope with population growth around the river. Now the River Stour is home to a range of wildlife, including salmon and otters, thanks to the work of the Environment Agency, Wyre Forest District Council, Severn Trent Water, the Wildlife Trust and local retailers who have all helped to transform the quality of the water. River-Darent-Eynsford.jpg The River Darent in Kent was the river with the lowest flow in the country in the 1980s. It has been known to dry up completely, as recently as 1996. This was caused by too much water being used by water companies and industry, which had a devastating effect on wildlife. By reducing the amount of water that can be taken from the river by 35 million litres per day, the River Darent has once again flourished. The increased water flow has brought back healthy populations of fish and invertebrates and is now classed as having Good Ecological Status . river-dee.jpg Parts of the River Dee slowed through industrialised areas, leaving it vulnerable to unregulated commercial discharges into the water. This polluted the river with toxic chemicals and sewage. Strict conditions on such discharges, as well as reviewing the amount of water that can be taken from the river, has helped the River Dee transform. It has now become an important natural fishery as well as a habitat for significant bird populations and a place that both residents and visitors enjoy. River-Nar--Castle-Acre.jpg The River Nar in Norfolk is protected as one of the few remaining fenland chalkstreams. It's one of the few rivers that supports a run of rare sea trout, is the hunting ground for otters and provides sanctuary for water voles. It's a far cry from the state of the river in the past, when it was widened, deepened and straightened for agricultural damage, ruining wildlife habitats in the process. river-taff.jpg In under 30 years the River Taff has been transformed. Where the water was previously so polluted that it couldn't sustain any wildlife, it's now home to many species including salmon, otters, sea trout and eels. The rivers of south Wales used to run black with coal, but since the coal mines closed and the Environment Agency enforced tighter controls on industrial discharges and sewage treatment processes, the quality of water has recovered to such an extent that the River Taff hosted the international fly fishing championships two years ago. river-stour.jpg The River Stour in Dorset has dramatically improved thanks to the National Trust working with the Environment Agency. With Dorset's oldest mill located along the river, the Stour has been home to plenty of conservation work, which has boosted the populations of local wildlife. The River Stour in Dorset is now home to 4000 young minnow, pike and roach, as well as increased numbers in species including kingfishers, dragonflies and water voles. river-mersey.jpg The River Mersey is known as the river that powered the industrial revolution, and the Mersey Basin has historically paid the price for this development. Industrial discharges and raw sevage devastated the water quality, causing 'dead zones' around the river. By 1982 it was the most polluted river in Europe. After investing over £1billion and 25 years, the River Mersey has finally been revived and is cleaner now than it has been in over a century.

The UK’s 10 most improved rivers

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