The Big River Watch
Survey your local river between 25th April – 1st May and be part of our UK and Ireland-wide survey of river health.
Twice a year The Rivers Trust runs Big River Watch weeks where we invite you to take part in a simple citizen science activity that helps build a picture of river health across the UK and Ireland. The next Big River Watch will take place between 25th April – 1st May.
Our beautiful and vital rivers are in crisis, and every bit of data about their health helps organisations better plan how to restore and protect them.
The Rivers Trust’s Big River Watch is your invitation to love your local stretch of river and stand up for wildlife. To play your part as a citizen scientist, simply download the free Big River Watch app (available in English and Welsh), spend 15 minutes by a river between the 25th April – 1st May, and complete the short survey to record what you see – from wildlife and water colour to pollution.
Your response will be part of a UK and Ireland-wide dataset that can be used to fight for cleaner rivers. Learn more: The Big River Watch | The Rivers Trust
Join us for the next Big River Watch and be part of the solution in three easy steps:
- Download the free Big River Watch app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Take part! Visit your local river, or explore a new one, and spend 15 minutes observing and recording what you see in the simple in-app survey.
- Press upload and share your findings.
Tell us about the things that you see with the survey – from wildlife and plants, to the flow speed of the water and whether you can spot any pollution. If you don’t know what you’re looking at, use our handy in-app ID guides for pollution and wildlife.
Then river specialists will analyse the results. The data is shared too, so that it can be used by other environmental organisations, journalists, and community groups to help in the fight for healthier, wilder rivers.
The app and survey are open year-round, so you can keep recording useful information about your local river at any time, if you wish.
Share your experience and your photos on social media using #BigRiverWatch.
With every Big River Watch the data set grows and so does our understanding of river health across the UK and Ireland. By collecting crucial information on everything from wildlife sightings to pollution levels, Big River Watchers can help us create positive changes for our rivers.
