16/09/2026
🏞🧐JOIN THE BIG RIVER WATCH!🧐🏞
❗ Help collect vital data for the Tees and tributary waterways!
👀 We are joining the Rivers Trust Movement in asking the public to record observations, including river pollution and wildlife sightings, in the Big River Watch from 18h – 24th September.
📈 People across the UK and Ireland are urged to become citizen scientists and gather data on river health this September as part of the twice-yearly Big River Watch campaign.
🧑🔬 Big River Watch citizen scientists play a vital role in river conservation efforts: users have identified a potential 100 previously unrecorded river barriers in England, which can significantly impact the migratory journeys of iconic species such as Atlantic salmon, twaite shad, and European eel.
📲 Participants can view live data captured during the week-long campaign via the Big River Watch Data Dashboard
🌐To find out more:
https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch
Thousands of citizen scientists are gearing up for the Big River Watch to help monitor the challenges impacting river health that The Rivers Trust Movement is working to address. [Local Rivers Trust] is inviting people across [the region] to get involved!
Running from 18th to 24th September 2026, the Big River Watch invites the public to spend just 15 minutes by a river or stream, recording observations of pollution, wildlife, and conditions through the free Big River Watch app. Survey results are published in near-real time on the campaign’s online dashboard.
The Big River Watch - the UK and Ireland’s largest mass-participation survey of river health - is already delivering real-world impact. Contributors have identified a potential 100 previously unrecorded barriers to fish migration in England, which affect endangered species including Atlantic salmon, European eel, and twaite shad. Once verified, these barriers can be logged on national databases, enabling The Rivers Trust Movement and other
conservation groups to take action to address them, highlighting the vital role citizen scientists play in river conservation efforts.
Data gathered during each Big River Watch helps fill critical gaps in environmental monitoring – particularly in smaller rivers, streams, and headwaters where pollution often begins but oversight is limited.
[Opportunity to highlight local features and case studies here including any barrier removal projects. Can also highlight local wildlife or chalk streams]
The Big River Watch requires no experience or training in citizen science. Anyone can take part by downloading the free Big River Watch app and spending 15 minutes by their local river or stream to monitor signs of pollution, wildlife sightings, and observations on flow levels. Participants can engage with the Big River Watch as many times as they like in different locations to help improve our understanding of river health.
Help improve our rivers. From 24th and 30th April 2026 , t ake part in The Big RiverWatch survey!
