Protecting the River Licky: Farmer-led action supporting water quality and Freshwater Pearl Mussel habitat

The farm, operated by Michael Dower, is located within the Licky_010 catchment, an important waterbody that supports habitat critical to the endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel. Through ongoing participation in the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) and support from the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP), the farm has undertaken a range of voluntary measures designed to reduce the risk of sediment, nutrient and contaminated runoff reaching local waterways.

The project perfectly highlights how sustained engagement between a farmer and advisor can lead to meaningful environmental improvements while maintaining a productive and viable farming enterprise.

The journey on Michael’s farm began in 2020 when Teagasc ASSAP Advisor Marie Kearney carried out an initial assessment. This identified several potential pathways through which nutrients, sediment and dirty water could enter nearby streams and, ultimately, the River Licky – previous consultations had been held with Cathal Somers of Teagasc also and a plan was formed.

Key risks included runoff from silage slabs and farmyards, drainage connections from working areas, farm roadways and gateways, livestock drinking points along streams, and challenges associated with nutrient management and soil fertility planning. Michael’s proactive approach had mitigated many of these potential risks ever before the EIP came into the picture, but by engaging with the Farming for Water project he has gone the extra mile.

Right measure in the right place

Rather than focusing on a single solution, the advisory process developed a comprehensive strategy based on the principle of delivering the "right measure in the right place". This approach sought to prevent pollution at source, improve water management infrastructure, intercept runoff before it entered watercourses and enhance nutrient-use efficiency across the farm.

The result was an integrated package of measures designed to strengthen environmental protection while supporting day-to-day farm management.

In October 2024, Michael received approval for a €14,006 Farming for Water EIP package to support the implementation of targeted water-protection measures. The package included investment in a willow filter bed, a bespoke water-quality measure, a nitrogen surplus plan, earthen bunds, rainwater management planning, contractor mobilisation and farmer training.

One of the most innovative elements of the project was the installation of the 200-metre willow filter bed, designed to treat runoff from farmyard areas. Previously, grey water from the yard had the potential to flow into field drains or pass across a sacrificial paddock. The willow filter system slows water movement, captures fine sediment, and promotes nutrient uptake through willow vegetation and natural evapotranspiration processes.

Importantly, the filter bed forms part of a wider treatment system and complements other measures such as clean-water separation, improved drainage management and enhanced slurry storage.

“I have always been conscious of water quality in the river and I have been proactive for many years in terms of how I run my farm. For many years the field was acting as the filter with the water from the yard soaking away to it from a blocked drain. Through the EIP I was able to redirect the grey water from the farmyard into a settlement tank and then into the willow bed. The willow slips have grown from 9” to 11ft in height in just ten months and they are soaking up the nutrients contained in the water. They are doing exactly what they are supposed to do,” Michael said.

“I had a digger on site for a few days digging out the willow bed. There is very little space lost – about 7 metres out into the field, by the length of the willow bed, but the drain was already taken up a few metres of that, so the loss is minimal. And, when you consider that the field would have been flooded a lot in the past because of the runoff from the drain, I am losing very little ground really. I am looking forward to seeing the difference this winter – that will be the real test,” Michael added.

Alongside the EIP-supported measures, the Dower farm invested in additional covered slurry storage capacity during 2024 and 2025 increasing the farm's total slurry storage to 2,073.3 cubic metres, thereby providing a surplus of almost 193 cubic metres above the calculated storage requirement. This additional capacity gives Michael greater flexibility to apply slurry only when weather and soil conditions are suitable, helping to minimise the risk of nutrient losses to water.

The farm has also blocked direct yard-drain connections, reducing the possibility of contaminated water reaching streams, and has implemented a detailed nutrient management plan that guides fertiliser and slurry applications on a field-by-field basis. These measures not only help protect water quality but also improve nutrient efficiency, ensuring nutrients are applied where crops can make best use of them.

Important habitat

The River Licky forms part of a wider catchment that contains habitat important for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, one of Ireland's most threatened aquatic species.

Freshwater Pearl Mussels require exceptionally clean rivers with stable gravel beds, low nutrient levels and minimal fine sediment. Even small increases in sediment or nutrient loading can affect habitat quality and reduce the species' chances of survival. Freshwater pearl mussels can live for over 150 years and are among the most sensitive indicators of river health. Their decline is often a warning sign of declining water quality, excessive sediment loss and nutrient enrichment within the catchment.

Historical assessments identified the Licky pearl mussel population as being under threat due to habitat deterioration and siltation, with very few juvenile mussels present to replace the ageing adult population.

Protecting and restoring water quality in the Licky catchment is therefore essential for the survival of this iconic species and the wider river ecosystem. A few points to note:

• The Licky river is located with within Munster Blackwater catchment; River is one of Ireland's most important freshwater pearl mussel rivers.
• The Licky is reaching its goal of good ecological status water quality under the Water Framework Directive
• Fewer than 50 rivers worldwide are believed to support internationally important recruiting populations of freshwater pearl mussels, highlighting just how rare and threatened this species has become.
• Freshwater pearl mussels are often described as the "canary in the coal mine" for river health. Their survival depends on exceptionally clean, well-oxygenated rivers, so declining mussel populations are a warning sign that water quality is deteriorating.

While no single farm is solely responsible for water quality outcomes within a catchment, and while ecological recovery can only be confirmed through long-term monitoring, the measures adopted on the Dower farm directly address many of the pressures known to impact sensitive river habitats. Crucially, there are 79 measures approved by the EIP team in the Licky catchment with eight other farmers also included in the programme.

By slowing runoff, reducing nutrient losses and improving the management of farm-generated water, the project contributes to wider efforts to maintain and improve the ecological condition of the River Licky. Encouragingly, water quality in the Licky_010 waterbody is currently progressing towards its target of Good Ecological Status, demonstrating the value of coordinated action at farm and catchment level.

“I want to ensure that the good water quality status remains in the Licky and so anything I can do to help that situation I am willing to do. Others in the catchment are playing their part as well and thanks to the EIP and ASSAP programmes it has been possible to implement these measures. It is a very simple, straight forward process designed by the advisor and I am delighted with the way it has worked out,” Michael said.

The Dower farm example also provides important lessons for future water-quality initiatives. It demonstrates that long-term advisory relationships are critical to success. Continued engagement between farmer and advisor helped identify risks, develop practical solutions and maintain momentum through implementation.

The project further shows that environmental measures are most effective when they work together. Improved slurry storage, runoff interception, drainage controls, nutrient planning and treatment systems each play a role, but their combined effect delivers a more robust and resilient outcome.

The work also underlines the importance of verification and maintenance. Structures such as bunds, sediment traps and filter beds must be regularly inspected, particularly after heavy rainfall, to ensure they continue to function as intended.

This project on Michael’s farm has attracted international attention. In August 2026, representatives from the River Basin Management Service, the Farming for Water EIP team, and Teagasc, welcomed researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to the area. The visit showcased Ireland's catchment-based approach to improving water quality through farmer-led action and provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge on sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and nature-based solutions.

Looking to the future

The Dower farm illustrates how practical, targeted interventions can translate environmental objectives into real on-the-ground action. Through a combination of advisory support, financial investment and farmer commitment, the project has transformed identified water-quality risks into opportunities for improvement.

While continued monitoring and maintenance remain essential, the measures now in place represent a strong contribution to protecting the River Licky and safeguarding the high-quality freshwater habitat needed by the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.

As Ireland continues its efforts to restore and protect water quality, this farm offers a positive example of how collaboration, science-based decision-making and farmer-led solutions can deliver benefits for agriculture, rivers and biodiversity alike.