River Basin Management Plans

What is a river basin management plan?

River basins are managed through river basin management plans (RBMPs), a legal framework for protecting and improving the water environment. Find out how they work, why they matter, and where you can get more information about your local RBMP by clicking here.

Our ongoing work on water planning

A river running through trees with dappled sunshine

The Interim Progress Report, Significant Water Management Issues consultation and Strategic Environmental Assessment scoping reports were published 20 November 2025.

The interim progress report highlights 90% of measures from the 2022 River Basin Management Plans are complete, ongoing, or about to begin. These measures are central to improving and safeguarding England’s rivers, lakes, coasts, and groundwater for future generations.

Read the Interim Progress Report.

As you know, water is vital to our wellbeing, nature, and our economy - protecting and improving it is urgent and essential. The current RBMPs are expected to deliver £67 billion in environmental benefits, representing £50.6 billion of investment.

We are also encouraging everyone with an interest in the water environment to respond to our Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI) consultation. Feedback will help shape the next round of RBMPs and guide long-term water planning, including responses to climate change.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping reports have also been published. SEA is a process that ensures consideration is given to the environment during the development of certain plans and programmes. These reports set out the approach that will be taken for the SEAs in each river basin district for the draft RBMPs in 2026.


Data, evidence and analysis

Map highlighting the area around Welwick, Weeton, and Skeffling, with blue shading and labeled locations.How to use the catchment data explorer

The catchment data explorer allows you to access the data and maps for your river basin district and water environment.

- Read the guide
- Explore the data



Challenges to the water environment

Find detailed background, evidence and analysis on the challenges facing the water environment. nteractive map displaying the River Basin Management Plan, highlighting protected areas and various water quality designations across England.





A serene lakeside view featuring greenish algae on the water's surface, surrounded by lush greenery and ferns.

Reasons for not achieving good status

Reasons for not achieving good (RNAG) and reasons for deterioration (RFD) record the source, activity and sector involved in causing an element to be at less than good status.

Plans and programmes A serene forest scene with a gentle, flowing stream surrounded by lush green trees and moss-covered rocks. Sunlight filters through the leaves.

Programmes of measures

The measures and actions needed to protect and improve water are summarised in the programme of measures. You can access the main mechanisms to protect and improve the water environment in each river basin district.


A hand holds a photo of a dry lakebed, contrasting with the vibrant green landscape and water of the current lake view.

Topic action plans

These plans provide a summary of action in the short, medium and long term for 12 key topics including climate change, nature recovery, chalk streams and delivering a resilient water supply.





Working in partnershipPresentation slide titled "A Catchment Approach to Restoring London’s Rivers" by Carolina Pinto, Thames21, October 2024.

Restoring London’s rivers and delivering RBMP’s: A catchment approach

In partnership with the River Restoration Centre and Thames21, we presented a webinar on 23 October 2024 to share learning on community involvement in restoring catchments, natural flood management, and achieving Biodiversity Net Gain.

See highlights of the webinar here


Illustration promoting water management collaboration among various stakeholders, including local authorities, NGOs, and communities.

Catchment Based Approach (CaBA)

The Environment Agency works in collaboration with many partners including CaBA, a community-led approach that engages people and groups from across society to help improve our precious water environments. Find out more about CaBA and where your local group is by clicking here.

Thank you for visiting our new water hub. This is a pilot service. We acknowledge not everything is covered here yet, this is a new offering which will grow over the coming months.

What is a river basin management plan?

River basins are managed through river basin management plans (RBMPs), a legal framework for protecting and improving the water environment. Find out how they work, why they matter, and where you can get more information about your local RBMP by clicking here.

Our ongoing work on water planning

A river running through trees with dappled sunshine

The Interim Progress Report, Significant Water Management Issues consultation and Strategic Environmental Assessment scoping reports were published 20 November 2025.

The interim progress report highlights 90% of measures from the 2022 River Basin Management Plans are complete, ongoing, or about to begin. These measures are central to improving and safeguarding England’s rivers, lakes, coasts, and groundwater for future generations.

Read the Interim Progress Report.

As you know, water is vital to our wellbeing, nature, and our economy - protecting and improving it is urgent and essential. The current RBMPs are expected to deliver £67 billion in environmental benefits, representing £50.6 billion of investment.

We are also encouraging everyone with an interest in the water environment to respond to our Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI) consultation. Feedback will help shape the next round of RBMPs and guide long-term water planning, including responses to climate change.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping reports have also been published. SEA is a process that ensures consideration is given to the environment during the development of certain plans and programmes. These reports set out the approach that will be taken for the SEAs in each river basin district for the draft RBMPs in 2026.


Data, evidence and analysis

Map highlighting the area around Welwick, Weeton, and Skeffling, with blue shading and labeled locations.How to use the catchment data explorer

The catchment data explorer allows you to access the data and maps for your river basin district and water environment.

- Read the guide
- Explore the data



Challenges to the water environment

Find detailed background, evidence and analysis on the challenges facing the water environment. nteractive map displaying the River Basin Management Plan, highlighting protected areas and various water quality designations across England.





A serene lakeside view featuring greenish algae on the water's surface, surrounded by lush greenery and ferns.

Reasons for not achieving good status

Reasons for not achieving good (RNAG) and reasons for deterioration (RFD) record the source, activity and sector involved in causing an element to be at less than good status.

Plans and programmes A serene forest scene with a gentle, flowing stream surrounded by lush green trees and moss-covered rocks. Sunlight filters through the leaves.

Programmes of measures

The measures and actions needed to protect and improve water are summarised in the programme of measures. You can access the main mechanisms to protect and improve the water environment in each river basin district.


A hand holds a photo of a dry lakebed, contrasting with the vibrant green landscape and water of the current lake view.

Topic action plans

These plans provide a summary of action in the short, medium and long term for 12 key topics including climate change, nature recovery, chalk streams and delivering a resilient water supply.





Working in partnershipPresentation slide titled "A Catchment Approach to Restoring London’s Rivers" by Carolina Pinto, Thames21, October 2024.

Restoring London’s rivers and delivering RBMP’s: A catchment approach

In partnership with the River Restoration Centre and Thames21, we presented a webinar on 23 October 2024 to share learning on community involvement in restoring catchments, natural flood management, and achieving Biodiversity Net Gain.

See highlights of the webinar here


Illustration promoting water management collaboration among various stakeholders, including local authorities, NGOs, and communities.

Catchment Based Approach (CaBA)

The Environment Agency works in collaboration with many partners including CaBA, a community-led approach that engages people and groups from across society to help improve our precious water environments. Find out more about CaBA and where your local group is by clicking here.

Thank you for visiting our new water hub. This is a pilot service. We acknowledge not everything is covered here yet, this is a new offering which will grow over the coming months.

Page last updated: 25 Nov 2025, 11:16 AM