The Big River Watch - Autumn Survey

The Big River Watch - Autumn Survey - you can help!

A fun, free, and easy way to help rivers

Twice a year, we run a Big River Watch, and the next one will take place from the 18th to the 24th of September 2026. Anyone can take part in these week-long citizen science surveys that help to build an important picture of river health across the UK and Ireland. 
 

Our rivers are far from healthy. They're polluted with sewage, plastic, chemicals and nutrients, and just 15% of river stretches in England are in good overall health.

To restore them, we need more information about how they're doing. You can help us identify and locate the problems. With the Big River Watch app, you can help us identify the issues, which help us influence policymakers and hold polluters to account.

How to take part:

• Step 1: Download the app
  Download or update the free Big River Watch mobile app before visiting the river.

• 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.

Watch your data flow in

Can you help us plug the gaps? We need surveys across the whole of the UK and Ireland, so if you live near or can visit a patch that hasn't been surveyed yet, that would be a huge help.

The map below works best on a desktop or tablet. Exploring on mobile? Click here for the full-screen data dashboard.