* The River Dee in Llangollen.
The future of the River Dee over the next 20-30 years was
discussed at a meeting in Llangollen’s Wild Pheasant Hotel on Thursday.
Four bodies – the Environment Agency, Environment Agency
Wales, Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales – jointly
commissioned specialist contractors Jacobs to carry out a major ecological
study taking in over 50 kilometres of the Dee, along with some of its
tributaries such as the River Ceiriog, from Bala to Chester Weir.
The study was based on information from previous surveys and
also included the results of new inspections which took place late last year.
The aim was to record the physical conditions of the
rivers and habitats along them to give
an understanding of their physical processes and identify potential restoration
actions.
Data from the survey was used to compile technical and
management reports and it was these that were highlighted at a consultation
workshop for a range of interested individuals and groups at the Wild Pheasant
by members of the survey team.
The reports reveal that in places the physical form of the
rivers have been altered by weirs, flood embankments, bank protection and
straightening - all of which can reduce habitat quality, quantity and variety
and affect the movement of fish, water and sediment.
No specific restoration actions were put forward, although a
range of options was outlined by Dr Andrew Brookes
(pictured right) from Jacobs.
He explained that the waterways put under the microscope
included two separate Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), one in
Wales and one downstream in England, which provided habitats for species such
as Atlantic salmon, lamprey, otter and club-tailed dragonfly.
He said that when it came to the physical condition of the
rivers there was “a lot of room for improvement” with only 28 per cent of
surface waters in the Dee catchment area being classified as ‘good’ or ‘high’
ecological standard and the majority of bodies of water having been heavily
modified over the years.
Dr Brookes added: “There are challenges and not a lot of
money available.”
But he stressed: “There are sources of funding and we are
talking about a long-term strategy with a time frame of 20 to 30 years.”
He then answered a number of technical points put to him by
members of the audience.
Consultations on the reports will continue amongst
interested parties, including landowners, fishing clubs, river and wildlife
trusts.
Comments made by them will then be considered and amendments
made to the final restoration plan before it is published at the end of
March.
