A new report, Rivers at Risk, has been published this week by Campaign for National Parks and The Rivers Trust, examining the state of rivers across all 13 National Parks in England and Wales. The findings are clear: while rivers in National Parks are generally in better condition than those outside, they are still under serious threat.

When we see a drinks can, crisp packet, or plastic bottle floating in a river, it’s easy to think of it as just an eyesore. But litter is far more than untidy – it has serious, long-lasting impacts on river health, wildlife, and even people.

Twice a year, The Rivers Trust run a Big River Watch, and the next one will take place from the 19th to 25th September! Anyone can take part in these week-long citizen science surveys that help to build an important picture of river health across the UK and Ireland.

In August we carried out a river walkover survey on the Afon Gwna, a short river on Ynys Môn. The river rises near Llangefni and flows into Llyn Coron. From there, its waters continue as the Afon Ffraw, winding through the extensive dune system before reaching the sea at Traeth Mawr.

Last week we held two eco-cultural mapping sessions as part of our work on the Afon Cegin. These sessions were designed to bring together local knowledge, creativity, and science to better understand this fascinating catchment and shape ideas for its future.

Continuing our work on the Afon Eden as part of the Sustainable Fisheries Mitigation project, delivered in partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW). This project builds on our long-term commitment to improving habitat for fish and freshwater pearl mussels — one of the UK’s rarest and most endangered species.

This month we will be trialing new flexi-baffles on a culvert in the Dysynni catchment. Thanks to support from South East Wales Rivers Trust, we’ve been supplied with flexi-baffles—special structures made from recycled plastic that have been designed to help fish migrate upstream more easily.

Himalayan balsam has become a persistent problem in North Wales for decades, particularly along rivers, because it thrives in damp soils and spreads quickly through watercourses. Each plant can produce between 500 and 700 seeds, which are explosively released and can be carried downstream, helping the species colonise new areas with ease.

This month we’ve been back out at Llyn Penrhyn on Ynys Mon to carry out some remedial works on our Floating Wetland project with Biomatrix. Although the original planting had established well in places, some of the vegetation has struggled due to exposure to the wind across the lake. To give the plants the best chance of success, we have added new sections of pre-planted matting and carefully relocated the wetland to a more sheltered spot on the water.

We’ve been busy running creative community workshops as part of Prosiect Torgoch, helping people discover more about the rare Arctic charr (Torgoch) that call North Wales home.

Unless we act quickly one of Eryri’s most iconic waterfalls, and wildlife sites, will be damaged forever.

The Cegin Wildlife Corridor is a visionary plan to reconnect fragmented habitats along the Afon Cegin, creating a continuous ecological network from the uplands to the coast.

Wildlife corridors help nature move, grow, and recover. By linking up woodlands, rivers, hedgerows, gardens and fields, we create safe routes for wildlife to travel, feed, nest, and adapt. These green connections are vital for boosting local biodiversity and building a healthier, more resilient landscape.

Riverbanks are more than just edges to a stream; they are living, breathing habitats that support a huge range of wildlife. From nesting birds and flowering plants to water voles and invertebrates, riverbanks are home to some of our most vulnerable species.

But these fragile edges are under threat. Erosion, trampling, and footfall off-path can quickly damage riverbanks, leading to collapsed banks, degraded water quality, and lost habitat.

In July, as part of the Torgoch Project, NWRT staff completed a Peatland Survey within the Cwellyn catchment in order to ground-truth modelling data for Peatland in the area. The presence and depth of peatland was measured in the area, with the idea of developing peatland restoration in the area if it was necessary.

Many of our rivers are fragmented by barriers like weirs, originally built for mills, land drainage, or water supply. While these structures may seem harmless, they can block the upstream journeys of migratory fish like salmon, sea trout, and eels—species that rely on moving between the river and the sea to complete their life cycles.

This week, the North Wales Rivers Trust visited a key site in the Dyfi catchment alongside the Coal Authority's Mining Remediation Team, marking the beginning of an exciting new partnership to reduce historic mining pollution at source.

Last night we held our second co-creation session of the year at Rhiwlas Community Centre. It was fantastic to have members of the local community come along and share their ideas and hopes for their patch of the Afon Cegin.

This Wednesday we held a practical Volunteer session at Plas Menai; using stand up paddleboards to remove rubbish in the Menai Strait as part of our #LoveTheMenai campaign with the Menai Strait Partnership Forum.

The Cunliffe Commission’s final report into the UK’s water sector was published yesterday.

Will its recommendations help rivers in Wales?

Whether you're fishing, kayaking, swimming, or walking by the river, your actions can make a real difference to the health of our waterways.