A river that once ran black with coal is now an international match fishing destination, a report has highlighted.
Another so polluted it was described as “an affront to a civilised society” is now a home for salmon, otters and water voles.
And a London river that was officially declared a sewer in the 1960s has become one of the best urban fisheries in the country.
The Environment Agency released its list of the 10 most improved rivers – the waterways that have shrugged off their industrial past to become havens for wildlife, walkers and anglers once again.
It urged people to take a walk along any of the rivers near to them to see the regeneration for themselves.
The transformation has been achieved thanks to thousands of habitat improvement projects, tighter regulation of polluting industries and work with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce pollution and improve water quality.
River habitats have also benefited from reductions in the volume of water taken by water companies, farmers and industry.
The Environment Agency has reviewed thousands of abstraction licences and is amending those that were causing environmental damage.
On the River Darent in Kent, for example, around 35 million fewer litres per day are now being taken than 20 years ago, increasing river flows and helping to support larger populations of wildlife including brown trout and pike.
Ian Barker, head of land and water at the Environment Agency, said: “Work that we have done with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce the amount of water taken from rivers, minimise pollution and improve water quality is really paying off – as these rivers show.
“Britain’s rivers are the healthiest for over 20 years and otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning for the first time since the industrial revolution. But there is still more to be done and we have plans to transform a further 9,500 miles of rivers in England and Wales by 2015 – the equivalent of the distance between the UK and Australia.”
By 2015 the UK must meet tough new EU targets on the water quality and ecology of its rivers and lakes.
This year, the Environment Agency, with partners such as Natural England, is targeting £18 million of funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to help more rivers meet the new EU targets.
Environment Minister Lord Henley said: “England’s rivers were once home to many iconic species of wildlife, and with Defra’s £110 million funding to help clean up England’s rivers and the extensive work being done by the Environment Agency, water companies and landowners, we’re already seeing fish and mammals, including salmon and otters, thriving once more.”
The most improved rivers were: the River Wandle in London, the Thames, River Wear in County Durham, River Stour in Worcestershire, the River Darent in Kent, the River Dee flowing from Wales through north west England, River Nar in Norfolk, River Taff in South Wales, River Stour in Dorset and the Mersey Basin.