The Rivers Trust joins Campaign for National Parks in highlighting threats to iconic waterways
The Rivers Trust have partnered with Campaign for National Parks (CNP) to launch the Rivers at Risk report, which lays out the state of rivers across National Parks in England and Wales and identifies key changes needed to protect and restore them.
15/09/25
News
The report showcases the expertise of The Rivers Trust’s technical team, who analysed publicly available data on river health to find trends for each of the 13 National Parks in England and Wales, as well as identifying six rivers at risk: River Cleddau (Pembrokeshire Coast), the Wye (Peak District), Meon (South Downs), Lymington (New Forest), Bure (Broads) and Pulham (Exmoor). Additional data obtained through Freedom of Information request helped us evaluate how National Park Rivers are affected by the water company price review process, and related decisions made by the water companies and regulators. The report also draws on the latest National Park Management Plans to review their ambitions for waterways.
““All data tells a story, and unfortunately this data presents a tragic tale of underinvestment and mismanagement of the rivers that flow across our most iconic landscapes. This report makes clear that serious action is needed to secure and enhance protection for rivers in our National Parks, and to be even more ambitious in future so the cycle of pollution and destruction can be broken.””
David Johnson
Technical Director, The Rivers Trust
National Parks are home to some of England and Wales’s most biodiverse and ecologically important rivers. These iconic spaces are home to internationally renowned wetlands, glacial lakes, globally rare chalk streams, and sensitive headwaters. Rivers running through National Parks are home to a huge variety of wildlife, including rare species such as water voles, beavers, bittern, eel, and the endangered Atlantic salmon. Their position in the wider landscape means they hold a crucial role in supporting natural flood management, building resilience to climate change, and provide immense value to millions of people for recreation and relaxation.
Given all these wondrous qualities, National Park status ought to afford rivers the vital protection they need, but today’s report reveals a murkier reality. Whilst rivers in National Parks are more than three times more likely to be healthy than those outside, 57% of them still fail to meet good ecological status. Even our most treasured landscapes are suffering from the effects of sewage, agricultural, and chemical pollution. In fact, sewer overflows inside National Parks are spilling, on average, for twice as long as those outside.
Rivers at Risk also puts forward the changes needed to policy, legislation, and practice to secure a healthier future for our National Park Rivers, including ensuring all waterways within National Parks achieve at least good ecological status by 2035, banning toxic forever chemicals, and strengthening legal requirements for regulators and companies to protect National Parks. We are also calling for cuts to sewage and agricultural pollution, and for National Park Authorities to receive more support and funding.
From local community groups tackling pollution and providing vital data from water samples to larger initiatives to save species and monitor entire ecosystems, there are people who love their local rivers and are working hard to protect them. Following the launch of today’s report, The Rivers Trust and Campaign for National Parks will continue to work together to support improved water management in these precious natural spaces.