Big River Watch

Wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all.

Healthy rivers are essential to human life, they provide us with drinking water, they water our crops, they are home to important species of wildlife, they provide recreational spaces for our health and wellbeing.

Big River Watch takes place across April and September each year, inviting people to spend time by their local river and take part in a simple citizen science survey to help build a picture of river health.

Run by The Rivers Trust, it encourages participants to observe wildlife, spot signs of pollution and record what they see, helping to protect and restore rivers across the UK.

For children, it offers a hands-on way to explore local waterways, develop observation skills and connect with nature while contributing to real environmental data.

A fun, free and easy way to help rivers

Big River Watch invites anyone to take part in this citizen science survey.

Using a simple app, participants spend time by a local river, stream or waterway, observing what they can see – from wildlife to signs of pollution – and recording their findings.

Our rivers are under real pressure from sewage, plastic and other pollutants, and this shared data helps build a clearer picture of river health across the UK and Ireland. Taking part offers children a meaningful way to look closely at their surroundings, notice changes and feel part of caring for their local environment.

How to take part

• Step 1: Download the app
  Download or update the free Big River Watch app (available in English, Welsh and Irish) before visiting your local river, stream or waterway.
  You can also download handy Wildlife and Pollution Identification Guide PDFs.

• Step 2: Complete the survey by your river
  Spend 15 minutes watching the river, and answer the questions in the survey. You can complete the Big River Watch at your favourite local spot, or get to know somewhere new. The survey will ask you about what you see, from wildlife and plants to any signs of pollution. Not sure what you're looking at? The in-app pollution and wildlife guides can help you make an identification.

• Step 3: Upload your survey
  Press submit, and upload your Big River Watch survey! Then our river specialists will analyze the results.

The app and survey are open year-round, so you can keep recording useful information about your local river at any time.

Share your photos on social media with #BigRiverWatch.