Boulders are being reintroduced into sections of the River Wye in Llangurig as part of a major restoration project.

Natural Resources Wales is beginning with the aim of improving river habitat, support wildlife and help restore more natural river processes.

Boulders are a natural feature of the River Wye in this area, but many have been removed from the river over time for various reasons.

However, boulders play an important role in healthy river systems, creating different flow patterns and providing pools, shelter and habitat for fish and aquatic invertebrates.

The stretch of river being restored is particularly important for Atlantic salmon and trout, providing spawning habitat as well as areas where young parr can shelter and grow. Salmon especially need to be robust before migrating downstream to sea.

Surveys carried out by the project team have found salmon and trout parr in areas where boulders remain present, while numbers are much lower in sections where boulders have been removed. The project team will continue monitoring the river following the work to assess how the river responds and measure changes in habitat and wildlife.

The boulder reintroduction complements wider work already being delivered with farmers and landowners around Llangurig, including planting riverside trees to provide further shelter and shade.

Together, these measures will help reduce soil, nutrients and pollutants entering the river and support more resilient farming and river systems in the face of extreme weather.

Brendan Adair, Project Manager for the Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project, said: "We've spent the last two years building a detailed understanding of this stretch of river through surveys and monitoring, so we can target the work where it has the greatest benefit. We're particularly interested in how the reintroduction of boulders can improve survival rates for young Atlantic salmon, a key species that needs all the support we can provide.”