Nearly half of all rivers in the Yorkshire Dales are under threat.
A new report from Campaign for National Parks, produced in partnership with The Rivers Trust, reveals that 47 per cent of rivers in the national park do not meet good ecological status.
The findings highlight growing concerns over sewage spills, agricultural pollution, and toxic chemicals.
Dr Rose O’Neill, chief executive of Campaign for National Parks, said: "National Parks like the Yorkshire Dales should set the gold standard for clean and healthy rivers, but instead they are being ignored and neglected by Government, regulators and water companies.
"These places are loved by millions of people: if we can’t protect the jewels of our waterways then we are failing the nation."
The report also revealed that sewage overflows within national parks spill for more than twice as long, on average, as those outside.
In 2024, combined sewage overflows discharged for 16,556 hours into rivers across the Yorkshire Dales.
The report attributes this to outdated and poorly maintained sewage infrastructure that cannot handle current resident and visitor numbers.
Many rural communities in national parks fall below the population threshold that requires more advanced sewage treatment, meaning that less effective systems remain in place.
Dr O’Neill added: "Government in England and Wales is in the midst of the biggest reform of the water sector in decades: they must not forget places like the Dales.
"It’s time to give these waterways the strongest legal protections, the highest standards, and the urgent investment they deserve."
While national park authorities are involved in catchment management and river restoration projects, the report notes that they lack the power to address major pollution sources without support from water companies and regulators.
Campaign for National Parks is calling for national parks to be prioritised in ongoing water sector reforms, with legally binding targets to clean up rivers, lakes, and streams.
The charity also wants sewage treatment works in national parks to be upgraded and stronger action taken to tackle agricultural pollution.
The report calls to fix storm overflows in National Parks by 2035 and ban toxic chemicals, including damaging ‘spot-on’ flea treatments.
It also recommends that national park authorities be given greater funding and authority to manage water and catchment issues.
National parks across England and Wales, including the Yorkshire Dales, contain some of the country’s most biodiverse and ecologically valuable rivers.
Campaigners argue that these areas should be protected to the highest environmental standards.
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