Freshwater - Vital for Life

Fresh water is essential to all life on land but, because man places a heavy demand on freshwater systems, these habitats are under threat all over the world. Freshwater species are going extinct faster than species from any other type of habitat.

We use rivers, lakes, streams, canals, ponds and ditches for water supply, waste disposal, generation of electricity, navigation, fisheries, recreation and a many other uses.

Rich in wildlife - freshwater in Wales

Wales is a land of freshwaters, from cold clear mountain lakes to limpid lowland pools, and from rushing torrents to sluggish, silty rivers.  Wales has about 500 lakes and large ponds, over 1000 small ponds and 45 significant river systems.  Natural lakes and ponds were mainly created by glacial action during the ice age and so are particularly concentrated in north Wales.

A wide range of threatened animals and plants depend entirely on our freshwater habitats.  Freshwaters are also important secondary habitats for many animals and plants and they provide a wide range of specialised microhabitats, such as permanently moist splash zones, exposed river shingle, wave-washed lake shores and reedbeds. 

Conservation

CCW is responsible for the protection of a wide range of lake and river habitats and species. We have eight river protected sites that together drain 8,000 square kilometres. 70 standing water reserves contain 167 lakes and large ponds, as well as a range of smaller water bodies.

In Wales, there is heavy pressure on our freshwaters. This includes:

• Structural changes – such as flood defences, channelling etc.
• Enrichment – when there are too many nutrients in the water.
• The effects of acid rain.
• Other pollution.
• Invasive species – plants, animals and fish that are introduced to new habitats.
• Climate change will also how much freshwater there is and where, with knock-on effects on many habitats and species.