A water quality improvement project on the Butterwater river has successfully been delivered by conservation teams from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Council and Armagh Fisheries Ltd.

The project, which was funded through a grant from Northern Ireland Environment Agency's (NIEA) Water Quality Improvement Scheme (WQIS), involved a number of elements including a 6km long river survey to determine the current status of the river with recommendations for future improvements works.

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As well as the survey, 150 metres of nature-based revetment works were installed helping to prevent cattle poaching of exposed riverbanks which leads to siltation of instream habitats.

The project also involved a community engagement and citizen science programme for aquatic conservation delivered through a series of environmental education / activity days with local community members.

The last of these events was held at the Armagh City Hotel and was attended by over 50 individuals representing some 18 local groups and organisations all working to improve river systems and the water that flows into Lough Neagh.