The organisation, previously called the Friends of the Quaggy, was formed in 1990 in response to a proposed flood alleviation scheme which would have destroyed the remaining natural sections of the River Quaggy. Due to the intervention of QWAG, that proposal has now been replaced with a flood alleviation scheme that will increase and improve the Quaggy's more natural sections.
QWAG is now building on that success, continuing to promote the restoration of the Quaggy for the benefit of both people and wildlife.