Galloway Forest Park, a sprawling 300-square-mile haven of woodlands, lochs, and hills in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, is renowned for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. However, its aquatic ecosystems, particularly the Black Water of Dee, have faced challenges that threaten native fish populations like salmon and trout. In 2021, the Galloway Fisheries Trust (GFT), in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland, Drax’s Galloway Hydro Scheme, and other stakeholders, launched the Black Water of Dee Habitat Restoration Project to address these issues. This innovative initiative focuses on restoring river habitats to support migratory fish, tackling problems like habitat degradation, acidification, and climate-driven temperature increases. This 2,000-word article explores the project’s goals, methods, impacts, and significance, highlighting its role in enhancing fish populations and ecosystem health in Galloway Forest Park.

The Importance of Fish Populations in Galloway’s Ecosystem

Healthy fish populations, particularly salmon and trout, are vital to the ecological balance of Galloway’s rivers and lochs. Salmon, as anadromous fish, migrate between freshwater and the sea, transporting nutrients that enrich nutrient-poor streams and support biodiversity. Trout, both brown and sea varieties, contribute to the food web, sustaining predators like otters and birds. However, Galloway’s waters have faced decades of stress from human activities and environmental changes.

The Black Water of Dee, the largest tributary of the Kirkcudbrightshire Dee, flows through the heart of Galloway Forest Park, from Clatteringshaws Loch to Loch Ken. Despite its ecological significance, surveys by the GFT revealed alarmingly low fish populations, even though nearly 20km of the river is accessible to migratory species. A 2016 study identified key barriers: insufficient spawning gravel, poor riverbank habitats, and the upstream Clatteringshaws Dam, which disrupts natural flow and gravel beds. Non-native conifer plantations along the riverbanks exacerbate these issues by causing acidification and excessive shading, further stressing fish populations.

The Black Water of Dee Restoration Project, launched in 2021, aims to reverse these declines through targeted habitat restoration, offering a model for balancing conservation with community and economic needs in Galloway Forest Park.

Understanding the Black Water of Dee Restoration Project

The Black Water of Dee Habitat Restoration Project is a collaborative effort led by the GFT, with support from Forestry and Land Scotland, Drax’s Galloway Hydro Scheme, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and Galloway Glens. Announced in September 2021, the project targets the lower section of the river along the Raiders’ Road Forest Drive, a popular visitor route in Galloway Forest Park. Its primary goal is to enhance habitats for salmon and trout by addressing three critical areas: riverbed restoration, riverbank management, and water quality improvement.

Project Objectives

• Increase Spawning Habitat: Add 450 tonnes of gravel to the riverbed to create suitable spawning grounds for salmon and trout.
• Improve Riverbank Ecology: Remove non-native conifers and plant native broadleaf trees to reduce acidification, provide dappled shade, and stabilize banks.
• Enhance Water Quality: Mitigate the effects of the upstream hydroelectric dam and climate-driven temperature increases to create a fish-friendly environment.
• Support Biodiversity: Foster a healthier ecosystem that benefits not only fish but also otters, birds, and other wildlife dependent on the river.

The project builds on earlier interventions, such as the 2012 increase in compensation water flows from Clatteringshaws Dam and the reconnection of the Pullaugh Burn, but goes further by addressing systemic habitat issues identified in the 2016 study.

Key Restoration Strategies

The Black Water of Dee Restoration Project employs a multi-faceted approach to habitat restoration, grounded in scientific research and practical conservation techniques. Below are the core strategies driving the initiative.

1. Building Up the Riverbed

Salmon and trout require specific gravel beds for spawning, where females deposit eggs that males fertilize. The Black Water of Dee’s riverbed, however, lacked sufficient smaller spawning substrate due to the hydroelectric dam washing away gravel. To address this, the project introduced 450 tonnes of gravel, with an initial 140 tonnes added in 2021. This gravel creates stable spawning beds, increasing the likelihood of successful reproduction. The GFT monitors these sites to ensure the gravel remains effective and supports juvenile fish survival.

2. Removing Non-Native Conifers

Non-native conifers, such as Sitka spruce, dominate 72% of Galloway Forest Park’s tree cover, contributing to water acidification and poor habitat quality. Conifers scavenge pollutants, release acidifying compounds, and cast dense shade, which cools water excessively and limits aquatic plant growth. They also fail to provide the nutrient-rich leaf litter that broadleaf trees offer. The project removes conifers along the riverbanks, reducing acidification and bankside erosion. This aligns with broader efforts to diversify Galloway’s forests, as 86% of the park’s trees are non-native, prompting calls for more native species.

3. Planting Native Broadleaf Trees

Replacing conifers with native broadleaf trees like oak, birch, and rowan is a cornerstone of the project. These trees provide dappled shade, which helps regulate water temperatures—a critical factor as climate change raises summer water temperatures, threatening salmon eggs and juveniles. Broadleaf trees also contribute nutrient-rich leaves to the water, supporting aquatic insects that fish feed on, and stabilize riverbanks, reducing erosion. The project’s planting efforts complement initiatives like the Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program, which encourages native species restoration, and mirror the Garple Burn enhancement project, where non-native conifer removal boosted fish habitats.

4. Mitigating Hydroelectric Impacts

The Clatteringshaws Dam, part of the Galloway Hydro-Electric Scheme, disrupts natural river flows, reducing gravel deposition and altering water temperatures. While the 2012 increase in compensation flows helped, the project collaborates with Drax to further optimize flows and minimize downstream impacts. This ensures the river maintains conditions suitable for fish migration and spawning.

Impacts and Early Successes

Since its launch in 2021, the Black Water of Dee Restoration Project has shown promising results, with tangible benefits for fish populations and the broader ecosystem.

Fish Population Recovery

Initial surveys post-gravel addition indicated improved spawning activity, with juvenile salmon and trout observed in restored sections. The GFT’s electrofishing surveys, a method used to monitor fish populations, have recorded increased fish presence, though full recovery will take years as habitats stabilize. The project’s focus on juvenile habitats is critical, as young salmon and trout are particularly vulnerable to high water temperatures and poor water quality.

Ecosystem Benefits

The removal of conifers and planting of broadleaf trees have reduced acidification, improving water quality for fish and other aquatic life. Native trees have also attracted insects, benefiting birds and bats, while stabilized riverbanks have reduced siltation, which can smother fish eggs. These changes support Galloway Forest Park’s rich wildlife, including otters, red squirrels, and golden eagles, enhancing the park’s appeal as a biodiversity hotspot.

Community and Economic Gains

The project has fostered community engagement through partnerships with local organizations like Galloway Glens. It has also created opportunities for local businesses, such as tree nurseries and environmental contractors, aligning with Galloway’s tourism-driven economy, which supports 9,472 jobs and generates £582 million annually. The project’s visibility along the Raiders’ Road Forest Drive educates visitors about conservation, reinforcing Galloway’s bid to become Scotland’s third national park, a proposal under consultation until February 2025.

Challenges and Future Considerations

While the Black Water of Dee Restoration Project is a success story, it faces challenges that require ongoing attention.

Climate Change

Rising water temperatures, driven by climate change, remain a threat to salmon and trout, which thrive in cooler waters. The project’s tree-planting efforts help, but broader climate resilience strategies, such as those outlined in the GFT’s Annan Riparian Restoration Network, are needed to address flooding and drought.

Acidification

Galloway accounts for 70% of Scotland’s surface water acidification, largely due to coniferous forestry on drained peatlands. While the project reduces acidification locally, systemic changes, like refining the Critical Load Analysis for conifer replanting, are needed to restore the 242 km of affected waterways. The GFT advocates for policy reforms to prioritize native trees and peatland restoration.

Funding and Scalability

The project’s initial funding came from partners like Drax and Forestry and Land Scotland, but long-term maintenance requires sustained investment. The Nature Restoration Fund, which awarded £25,000 for the Garple Burn project, could support similar efforts, but scaling the model across Galloway’s rivers demands additional resources.

Community Perceptions

The proposed Galloway National Park has sparked debate, with some residents, like farmer Ian Cruickshanks, fearing increased regulation or tourism pressures. The GFT and project partners must continue engaging communities to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of restoration, ensuring local support.

Alignment with Broader Conservation Goals

The Black Water of Dee Restoration Project aligns with regional and national conservation priorities, positioning Galloway as a leader in sustainable land and water management.

Galloway National Park Proposal

The project supports Galloway’s bid to become Scotland’s third national park, emphasizing biodiversity and habitat restoration. A national park could attract funding for projects like this, boosting tourism and local economies while safeguarding ecosystems. The GFT’s work complements the Galloway National Park Association’s vision of a landscape rich in native woodlands and healthy waters.

Scotland’s Climate and Biodiversity Targets

By enhancing carbon sequestration through native tree planting and reducing acidification, the project contributes to Scotland’s net-zero goals and biodiversity recovery. It aligns with the Solway Tweed River Basin Management Plan, which targets the restoration of acidified waters, and the Scottish Government’s push for peatland restoration.

Community Science and Education

The GFT’s “Salmon in the Classroom” program and electrofishing workshops engage local schools and anglers, fostering a culture of conservation. By encouraging anglers to act as “citizen scientists” and report fish sightings, the GFT builds a network to monitor fish populations across Galloway’s lochs, amplifying the project’s impact.

How to Get Involved

Landowners, anglers, and community members can support the Black Water of Dee Restoration Project and similar initiatives:

• Join GFT Programs: Participate in electrofishing surveys or the “Salmon in the Classroom” project. Visit www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org for details.
• Support Native Planting: Landowners can adopt native broadleaf trees through programs like the Galloway Coastal Rainforest Project. Contact highlandcarbon.com for opportunities.
• Engage with the National Park Consultation: Share your views on the Galloway National Park proposal by February 14, 2025, via NatureScot’s website (www.nature.scot).[](https://www.nature.scot/new-national-park-proposed-galloway)
• Purchase Fishing Permits: Buy weekly permits (£35) from outlets like McCowan & Sons in Castle Douglas to fund conservation efforts. Adhere to catch-and-release policies to protect spawning fish.

Why This Project Matters in 2025

The Black Water of Dee Restoration Project is a beacon of hope for Galloway Forest Park, demonstrating how targeted conservation can revive struggling ecosystems. By addressing the root causes of fish population declines—habitat loss, acidification, and climate impacts—the project not only supports salmon and trout but also strengthens the region’s biodiversity and resilience. Its collaborative approach, uniting scientists, landowners, and businesses, sets a precedent for community-driven conservation.

In 2025, as Galloway navigates its potential national park status and Scotland pushes for climate and biodiversity goals, this project underscores the power of small-scale actions to drive large-scale change. For visitors marveling at the Raiders’ Road or locals fishing in Loch Ken, the restored Black Water of Dee is a reminder that healthy rivers are the lifeblood of Galloway’s landscapes and communities.

Final Thoughts

The Black Water of Dee Habitat Restoration Project is more than a conservation effort—it’s a commitment to revitalizing Galloway Forest Park’s aquatic ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable future for its fish and wildlife. By adding gravel, removing conifers, and planting native trees, the Galloway Fisheries Trust and its partners are breathing new life into a vital river, one that supports not just salmon and trout but the entire web of life in Galloway. As Jamie Ribbens, GFT Senior Biologist, said, “This is an innovative project that will make a real difference for local fish populations.”

Whether you’re an angler casting a line, a landowner planting trees, or a visitor exploring the park’s trails, you can play a role in this transformative work. The Black Water of Dee is flowing toward recovery, and with continued support, it will remain a thriving habitat for generations to come. Join the movement, support the project, and help Galloway’s waters shine as brightly as its starry skies.