Another big spate on its way down which seems likely to put a premature end to this years season.   Probably one best forgotten for all sorts of reasons   Are there any signs that 2020 will be any better.  If so please share.


please see below some information regarding Wye navigation.  It follows a suggestion that the EA could suspend navigation under certain circumstances.  Below are the questions I asked and the answers received.  Not sure there was really a specific answer to some of the question as one might expect but make your own mind up.

Enquiry regarding Navigation on the River Wye

Thank you for your comments and queries in relation to navigation on the River Wye which we received on 16 September 2019.

We respond to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

As the navigation authority we would like to reassure you that any incidents that are reported to the Incident Hotline are responded to and dealt with as appropriate. Should you want to report incidents then please call our Freephone service on 0800 807060. We hope our answers below address your concerns, we have included your questions for completeness.

First of all, can you tell me what criteria you will use to make a judgement that the environment needs protection due to low flows

Would this be for protection of fish or any other species perhaps.?

The River Wye is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its entire length. It is important for a number of rare and threatened species and habitats. The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) must jointly balance the water needs of people, businesses and the environment throughout the catchment. During periods of exceptional shortage of rain leading to low river flows, we will need to seek additional measures as part of our duty to protect the SAC and restrictions may be necessary for licensed water abstraction, navigation and angling. Voluntary restrictions for all aspects of river use are encouraged before any additional measures are required.

If ecological damage becomes a significant risk (such as canoeists on stretches where there is insufficient depth, getting out and walking, trampling gravels etc). It may become necessary to implement Article 19 of the Wye Navigation Order 2002 and more specifically para (c) in certain parts of the principal rivers.

I presume one measure might be high temperatures, algae bloom or other forms of pollution. Is this so?

Various conditions such as the ones to which you refer can result in signs of stress for wildlife, fish and habitats as well as making the experience of the canoe hire customer unviable in shallow reaches of the river.

What confidence do you have, if any, that commercial operators would cease or curtail business activities if you merely asked them to do so.?

People and businesses likely to be impacted will be given as much notice as possible of any plans with implications to navigation. Any restrictions to navigation will be kept to a minimum as far as possible. NRW will follow the same approach for the Glasbury to Hay section. We have not had to restrict navigation under such circumstances before. In 2018/19 during the pro-longed dry period the commercial hire companies were kept informed of the situation and the potential for river closures. Commercial canoe hire companies were (and are) encouraged to have contingency plans in place to deal with these extreme conditions and potential restrictions to navigation. The reaction of the commercial hire companies in 2018/19 was positive and they were fully co-operative throughout.

Do you have any powers to demand this?

Yes, under the Wye Navigation Order 2002 we have the power to temporary close the principal rivers for the purpose of conserving the natural beauty of the principal rivers and their flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest. If water levels are low enough to be considered a significant risk to ecology, vulnerable stretches will be temporarily closed to navigation by implementing Article 19 (c) of the Wye Navigation Order 2002. The closures will extend from the nearest upstream and downstream public access point of the vulnerable stretch affected. Temporary closure notices will be displayed at the relevant access points.

If so, do you have the means to check if it’s being adhered too and are there any penalties you can impose if they transgress?

The Wye Navigation officers regularly survey traffic numbers and behaviour in the summer months and are warranted to give instructions to river users. Failure to comply would be an offence under the Wye Navigation Order 2002.

With the bulk of hire companies supportive of our message any non-adherence would quickly be reported by those complying with our instructions.

Do you have the means to pursue them or to police them it if they do not comply?

Active monitoring of the navigation will take place during pro-longed dry weather periods. This will continue when and if vulnerable stretches have to be closed. Failure to comply with temporary river closures could result in further action depending on the circumstances – whether it is non-compliance of Article 19 (c) of the WNO or the environmental legislation in place.

Again, what criteria would you use to decide what you call ‘vulnerable sections’ which might be those closed down and others not?

A combination of hydrological and environmental factors will help determine what action needs to be taken. A stretch of river would be considered ‘vulnerable’ if the water levels are low enough to be considered a significant risk to ecology.

 How would you differentiate these sections to be  closed one from another and would this closure apply to anglers too?

The closure of vulnerable river stretches would extend from the upstream public access point to the downstream access point as deemed appropriate. As the navigation authority for the River Wye, river closures under the WNO 2002 would only apply to vessels navigating the river. If the additional pressure placed on the remaining open stretches becomes a matter of concern, then user numbers may have to be restricted. We will work with British Canoeing, Canoe Wales and canoe hire companies throughout this process.

Please refer to Open Government Licence which explains the permitted use of this information.

Please get in touch if you have any further queries or contact us within two months if you’d like us to review the information we have sent.

Yours sincerely,

Karen Powell
Customers and Engagement Officer

West Midlands Customers and Engagement Team

Enquiries Team 02084 747856