Communications regarding Rivers Usk and Wye Monitoring Programme

Welsh Water and the Canal and River Trust will be continuing their extensive programme of ecological monitoring of the Rivers Wye and Usk this year. The monitoring has been agreed in a collaborative partnership with the stakeholder group of the Rivers Wye and Usk Abstraction Management Group which includes members of the newly formed Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency (England), Severn Trent Water and Natural England. The monitoring includes the full length of the main rivers for hydrology, water quality, temperature and ecology. There is also an extensive programme of planned monitoring for all designated fish species. The timing of this monitoring will be dependant upon the species and their migration, and are also weather dependant. Therefore, activities to support the monitoring will commence from the start of April with the deployment of lamprey traps in the lower reaches of both rivers. All required permissions from the regulators are now in place as is the required land access and angling club permissions for this element of the work. The work is being delivered by Hull International Fisheries Institute (HIFI) on behalf of Welsh Water, and their vehicles will be clearly marked with both HIFI and Welsh Water logos.

Communications will be provided at regular intervals through the year to update on progress and areas of activity to ensure you are aware of their work and presence. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Gail Davies of Welsh Water (gail.davies@dwrcymru.com) or Jon Bolland of HIFI (j.bolland@hull.ac.uk.