Salmon fishing has been suspended on a Powys river after temperatures rose to dangerous levels.

The Wye and Usk Foundation made the move after undertaking daily water temperature measurements along both rivers and said they had “no alternative” but to suspend salmon fishing below Crickhowell on the Usk and below Builth Wells on the Wye

As of midnight tonight, August 12, fishing downstream of Brecon on the Usk and on the Monnow will also be suspended after both river temperatures have risen above safe levels.

Barbel fishing may also have to be suspended if the water temperatures rise above 25 degrees.

The move was made as air temperatures have risen above 30 degrees with the heatwave set to continue over the weekend. This has led to both high water temperatures and low water levels leading to danger for river life.

In a statement the Foundation said: “We are targeting the reopening of the affected Wye and Usk fisheries from midday on Friday 19th August. For trout and pike fisheries to reopen, river temperatures must reduce to 19 degrees or less. For salmon fisheries to reopen, these temperatures must reduce to 18 degrees or less.

“Our staff, with the support of some enthusiastic citizen scientists from the Friends of the Lower Wye and Friends of the Upper Wye, will continue our daily monitoring of water temperatures in order to best assess the situation."

They also warned those still planning on being near the river weekend to be careful: “Please exercise caution if you are planning to be in or around the Wye and Usk or its tributaries. The river beds, where still water covered, are currently coated with extensive algae layers which are slippery and the water quality is poor for leisure use. Entering the water will also add to stressful conditions already being experienced by the fish and wildlife in the rivers.”