The Big River Watch

A fun, free and easy way to help our rivers

Twice a year, The Rivers Trust movement runs a Big River Watch.   The next one runs from 19 – 25th September. 

We need your help to survey rivers using the free Big River Watch app.   Anyone can take part in this week-long citizen science survey to build an important picture of river health across the UK and Ireland.

Our rivers are far from healthy.  To restore them, we need more information about how they're doing.  

With the free Big River Watch app, you can help us identify the issues and problems, which help us influence policymakers and hold polluters to account.

For full details and information on how to download the free Big River Watch app, please visit the Rivers Trust website: https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch

News

Mersey Valley Way: first National River Walk
The Mersey Valley Way along the River Mersey in Greater Manchester is the first designated national river walk in England.
Coppicing and dead hedging at Newgate Nature Reserve, Wilmslow
Tuesday 3 March. We're joining the Bollin Valley Partnership to undertake coppicing and dead hedging work at Newgate Nature Reserve, Wilmslow.
Battling the Birch at Lindow Common, Wilmslow
Wednesday 25 February. We're joining the Bollin Valley Partnership to help conserve the special habitat within Lindow Common in Wilmslow by removing self-seeded Birch.
Urban Riverfly Monitoring Upskill
Wednesday 18 February. Join us for a 1 hour online training webinar that builds skills in riverfly (invertebrate) monitoring, identification, data collection, and urban water quality.
River Mersey Guided Walk & Litter Pick on the Mersey Valley Way, Stockport
Friday 6 February 2026
Farm Demonstration Day - Rostherne, Cheshire
Tuesday 3 February. An event for farmers and landowners. Join us for a Farm Demonstration Day at Rostherne Mere, Cheshire to discover cost-effective ways to boost land productivity and filter water with ponds & reed beds!
Alt Crossens Newsletter
A look back at the projects and achievements in 2025 in the Alt Crossens catchment and what is happening in 2026
Outfall Safari Training for Citizen Scientists
Thursday 28 January. Join us for an online training session for the public to learn about outfall safari citizen science river surveys
River Mersey Guided Walk & Litter Pick: Mersey Valley Way, Stockport
Friday 23 January 2026
Mersey Valley Way
Mersey Rivers Trust is delighted that the River Mersey in Greater Manchester has been selected for the first national river walk
Litter Raft in Manchester
Adventure filmmaker Raphael Holt raising awareness of the litter & flytipping issues facing Manchester’s waterways
Manchester College Water Quality STEM Session
Soil and Water Health Day
Thursday 30th October
We are hiring ! Finance & Governance Manager
🌿 Join Mersey Rivers Trust and Help Make a Real Impact for Rivers, Wildlife and Communities! 🌿 
Vision for Sustainable Water Management in Liverpool City Region
Ambitious new vision to clean up rivers, prevent flooding and maintain water supplies
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