Public invited to take part in Big River Watch as concern grows around river health

As concern grows over the state of waterways across the UK and Ireland, thousands of citizen scientists are gearing up for this years’ Big River Watch to help track and monitor the challenges impacting river health that rivers trusts are working to address.

For the first time, there is now an Irish language version of the app to involve even more river loving communities.

Ballinderry Rivers Trust is inviting people across County Derry to get involved.

Running from April 24 to 30, The Rivers Trust initiative invites the public to spend just 15 minutes by a local river or stream, recording observations of pollution, wildlife, and river conditions through the free Big River Watch app. Survey results are published in near-real time on the Big River Watch online dashboard.

The Big River Watch - the UK and Ireland’s largest mass-participation survey of river health - is already delivering real-world impact that brings nature back into communities. Contributors have identified pollution hotspots from from urban and rural sources; river barriers that impact migratory habits of iconic species such as Atlantic salmon, trout or European eel; and they help us monitor blue-green algae blooms. All data submitted during the Big River Watch brings us closer to the knowledge we need to restore our rivers and freshwater ecosystems.

No experience or training is required to take part in the Big River Watch. Anyone can take part by downloading the free Big River Watch app and spending just 15 minutes by their local river or stream to monitor what they see. The Rivers Trust is keen for participants to engage in the Big River Watch as many times as they like by recording multiple surveys in different locations along their rivers and streams to help build a bigger picture of river health.

Mark Horton MBE, CEO of Ballinderry Rivers Trust and All Ireland Director at The Rivers Trust said: “Our rivers and loughs are under increasing pressure from urban and rural pollution and a changing climate that is increasing water temperatures and reshaping our rivers through increased frequency and intensity of floods and droughts. The Big River Watch encourage as many people as possible to go out and record the health of their local river over a set period of time; it’s a bit like a census for our rivers. This information is invaluable in helping us to track changes in our rivers over time, discover new things about our river environment, and plan restoration measures to help protect this fragile environment and the wildlife that depends on them, including us!

Rachael McEldowney, Agriculture & Land Manager at Ballinderry Rivers Trust said: “Those that know the rivers best are those who work on the land every day. We know from working with many farmers across the Ballinderry River catchment and beyond that they care about the health of their rivers and many are actively making changes to ensure that people and nature can benefit from improved water quality. By encouraging farmers to also use the Big River Watch app, we hope to see more members of the agricultural community getting involved, to share this vital knowledge, to help us build a much broader picture of river health.”

B-roll promotional footage can be provided with appropriate credit to The Rivers Trust/Big River Watch.

Irish language audio statement for use on Irish speaking radio broadcast can be accessed here.

Audio statements (English language) from The Rivers Trust Ambassadors for use in radio broadcast and podcast can also be accessed here.

Further information, downloadable digital and printable assets can be found in our Comms Pack

The Big River Watch has been developed by The Rivers Trust and other partner organisations within CaSTCo (a project creating a national framework for improving river health data, with citizen scientists at the heart). Big River Watch is an important tool to support CaSTCo in introducing new and diverse audiences to river science and to encourage accessible engagement and diverse recruitment of volunteers. 

Ballinderry Rivers Trust is dedicated to the conservation, protection and improvement of the rivers and loughs of the Ballinderry River catchment, the western-shore streams of Lough Neagh, and Lough Neagh itself

The Rivers Trust coordinates a network of over 60 local Rivers Trusts across the UK and Ireland, providing support with fundraising, advocacy and knowledge-sharing. With over 500 dedicated specialists including over 60 farm advisers giving confidential expert advice, we work in partnership at a catchment scale to make our shared vision of wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all a reality.