To solve a problem, you have to understand it. The foundation takes a logical approach to solving issues.
1.
Determine the impact and severity of each issue
2.
Determine where in the catchment the impact is coming from
3.
Determine the cause of the issue
4.
Determine the appropriate solution (mitigate or correct cause)
5.
Determine who delivers it best and who can fund it
6.
Deliver the changes
7.
Monitor the efficacy and refine
We have found a range of problems that had combined to damage fish stocks and the river environment as a whole. In the 1990’s and 2000’s barriers to fish migration, diffuse and point pollution, excessive soil loss in Herefordshire, acidification and habitat degradation were the primary causes.
It wasn’t simply the number of problems but also the extent to which each and almost every part of the Wye catchment had been affected that had caused the severity of the decline in the 1990’s.
The remedies, described in the River Work and Farm Work sections, where delivered and have been applied to the Usk.
Facing up to New Issues and Threats
Some of the old problems are still with us and a new suite of direct and compounding issues have arisen that together have caused our rivers to fall into decline again. The foundation is working to understand and resolve them.
More details on the various issues facing the rivers are given below.
Issues
Acidification
https://youtu.be/XMuZ1za5pco?si=EeIG_M_UV_6tVak7 Acid Waters The upper Wye and one of its major tributaries, the Irfon, have for many years suffered from […]
Algae
Predation of Fish All the fish species that inhabit the Wye and Usk are subject to predation, whether as a […]
Excessive Soil Loss to Water
https://youtu.be/n7vMcK4Bg9w Too Much Soil Entering Rivers One effect of the intensification of farming since the 1980s has been a decline […]
Habitat Degradation
Acid Waters The upper Wye and one of its major tributaries, the Irfon, have for many years suffered from the […]
Increasing Frequency of High Flows
The Wrong Type of Rain? Before 2019, severe floods occurred once every 8 years. Since 2019, they have been occurring […]
Increasing Frequency of Low Flows
“Climate Proofing” Rivers Thursday 29th November, 2018 Climate change and species extinction have been high on the news agenda in […]
Increasing Water Temperatures
Implications of High Water Temperatures on Salmon and Trout Fisheries – A Scientific Perspective Increasing water temperatures are having a […]
Overshading
For many fish species, the smaller rivers and streams of a catchment are vital for spawning and juvenile habitat. The […]
Pollution
There is nothing more galling to those interested in rivers than witnessing a serious pollution. These occur through negligence, bad […]
Predation
Predation of Fish All the fish species that inhabit the Wye and Usk are subject to predation, whether as a […]
Tackling Invasive Species
Invasive species are a serious problem to our native flora and fauna. Some can also be a threat to people […]
