In 2016, conservationists put the bends back into a Lake District river straightened 200 years earlier

Conservationists undertook an inspiring project to restore the natural meanders of Swindale Beck, which had been straightened for centuries. Within just a few months, the restored gravel beds welcomed back the Atlantic salmon to spawn, while also decreasing flood risks and enhancing drinking water quality for millions. This remarkable recovery fostered a thriving habitat for aquatic insects and river birds, ultimately earning the UK River Prize in 2022.