Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has warned that wildlife, habitats and rivers may take many months to recover from the effects of prolonged drought and exceptionally dry weather. The warning is particularly significant for the River Wye, where very low river levels and high water temperatures have placed additional pressure on fish, wildlife and the wider river ecosystem.

The River Wye is an important freshwater environment supporting a wide range of plants and animals. However, recent drought conditions have reduced natural river flows and affected the availability and quality of habitats. NRW reported that some of the lowest river flows were being recorded across Wales, with the Wye among the rivers experiencing exceptionally low levels. In July 2026, NRW also reported that almost half of the flow in the lower Wye was being maintained by releases from the Elan Reservoir, demonstrating how severely natural flows had been reduced.

Low water levels are particularly concerning for fish such as salmon and other aquatic species. Warmer water contains less oxygen, while shallow water can make fish more vulnerable to stress and disease. NRW reported that temperatures in several Welsh rivers, including the Wye, reached or exceeded 20°C, with the Wye recording temperatures above 26°C. Low flows can also interfere with fish migration, making it harder for species to move through the river to feed or reproduce.

The effects of drought extend beyond the river itself. Wetlands, riverbanks, grasslands and other habitats can become increasingly dry, affecting plants and the insects, birds and mammals that depend on them. NRW's wider State of Natural Resources Report has already identified low resilience across many Welsh ecosystems, with freshwater environments facing pressures from climate change, pollution, changes in river flow and invasive species. This means that drought can add to existing environmental problems rather than occurring in isolation.

The condition of the Wye is also affected by factors other than drought. Recent NRW surveys found pressures including nutrient pollution, sediment, historic changes to river channels, loss of natural riverside vegetation and invasive species. Although many parts of the river are close to meeting the ecological standards expected of a Special Area of Conservation, NRW says that improvements will require action across the entire catchment. Measures include reducing nutrient inputs, restoring riverbanks and buffer strips, improving habitat and tackling sediment and invasive species.

The message from NRW is cautiously optimistic but serious. Rainfall can restore river levels relatively quickly, but ecological recovery takes much longer. Plants need time to regrow, habitats need to regain moisture and fish and other wildlife need stable conditions to recover their populations. NRW has previously warned that it can take many months for rivers, groundwater, habitats and wildlife to fully recover after drought.

The recent drought demonstrates how extreme weather can expose the vulnerability of already pressured ecosystems. Protecting its future will require sustained rainfall as well as long-term action to improve water quality, restore natural habitats and make the catchment more resilient to increasingly frequent droughts.