The Challenge of Reconnecting the Salmon Rivers of Wales

Habitat fragmentation caused by instream barriers is a leading cause of loss of river biodiversity and is responsible for the decline of Atlantic salmon and other migratory fish in Wales, and elsewhere.

The situation of Atlantic salmon in Wales is critical and all populations have been declared ‘at at risk’ or ‘probably at risk" by Natural Resources Wales. Our recent assessments indicate that this is in part due to the high extent of habitat fragmentation 

flowing river in Wales
map showing the rivers to be interventioned in Wales

Our project will benefit people and nature

Online Resources

Check the following online resources to learn more about barrier river management

Barrier Tracker app

Launch the app

images showing screenshots of the app

A practitioner’s toolkit for dam removal

nature conservancy logo

Dam Removal Europe

Dam Removal Europe logo

World Fish Migration Day

World Fish Migration Day logo

Events and outreach

The team

Collaborations with other projects

Project Facts

• Title: Reconnecting the Salmon Rivers of Wales
• Funding: Nature Networks Fund
• Total budget: £500,000
• Duration: 17 months
• Coordinator: Swansea University

The Nature Networks Fund is a Welsh Government fund developed in partnership with Natural Resources Wales which the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) are administering on behalf of Welsh Government.

Funded by

Welsh Government and administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Wales

Welsh Government logo showing dragon in black in a white background

Len Powell

Picture of Len Powell

Len Powell

In memory of Len Powell, Vice President, Trustee and former Treasurer of the Afan Valley Angling and Conservation Club, who did so much to improve the conservation of Welsh Rivers