PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Dee is the largest river in North Wales, with a catchment area of more than 1 800 km2, and is part of the Afon Dyfrdwy a Llyn Tegid / River Dee and Bala Lake Natura 2000 site (SAC). The river is highly regulated, with three major drinking water supply reservoirs in its upper reaches. Fourteen weirs impeding fish passage are present and there is a history of channel, bank and floodplain modification throughout. Nonetheless, the riverhas a high biodiversity and was designated as a SAC in 2005. However, a number of habitats and species listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive are classified as unfavourable-bad or unfavourable-inadequate (2007-2012 Article 17 reporting). The predominant pressures impacting these features are human-induced changes to hydraulic conditions, pollution to surface waters, invasive non-native species, and changes in biotic conditions.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFEDeeRiver project is to take a catchment-based approach to rehabilitate and restore natural processes, features and habitats within the River Dee and Bala Lake / Afon Dyfrdwy a Llyn Tegid Natura 2000 site (SAC) in North Wales, thereby contributing to local, national and European conservation goals.
Specifically, the project aims to:
remove the constraints to fish migration and wider ecological connectivity currently caused by weirs in the River Dee; restore or improve natural riverine physical processes, features and habitats over at least 55 km of river; improve agricultural and forestry land management practices to reduce the input of nutrients and sediment entering the SAC; initiate conservation management for the critically-endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) by the captive rearing and release at least 3 000 juveniles in suitable locations; establish and build long-term positive relationships with key stakeholders; and revise the Core Management Plan for the Afon Dyfrdwy a Llyn Tegid / River Dee and Bala Lake SAC, and increase uptake of agri-environment funding by liaising with farmers. The project contributes to the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive, the UKs Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 for 2014-2020, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (targets 1 and 2), Water Framework Directive, Floods Directive, and other EU and national policy.
RESULTS
Expected results:
progress made for the entire 318 ha of Habitats Directive habitat type Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation (3260) in the Afon Dyfrdwy a Llyn Tegid / River Dee and Bala Lake SAC (12% at UK level) towards favourable conservation status; removal (partially or fully) of five weirs and improved fish passage at a further six weirs in the SAC; increased access for great sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, to an additional 7.4% of its UK favourable range; improved hydro-morphology along 33 km of river; improvement of direct in-channel habitat over 6 km; restoration of at least 35 km of riparian zone, and removal or breaching of 2 km of bank protection and artificial embankments; installation of two river crossings and blocking of 21 forest drain culverts to reduce pollution risk in 600 ha of forestry in the SAC catchment; facilitate implementation of interventions that reduce nutrient and sediment inputs in at least 20% of targeted farms; and captive rearing and release of at least 3 000 juvenile Margaritifera margaritifera in suitable locations in the SAC.
