Coinciding with World Rivers Day on 24th September, a new app is to be launched to enable anyone with a smartphone to upload their observations from a riverbank anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
Developed by the Rivers Trust, the “Big River Watch” will record wildlife, signs of pollution, and the wellbeing effects of spending time around rivers via a series of questions.
The app is free, easy to use and does not require any prior training. A Welsh language version will be created too. Its launch will be the weekend of the 22nd-24th September although available for download from the 18th.
The purpose of the app is to use the results to form a data set on river health covering the whole of the UK and Ireland.
How we will use the data you gather
Our River of the Month campaign launched last month! As well as problems and issues, we would really like to see what positive wildlife spotting we can record on our rivers. We will use the data to highlight some of these incredible species over the next few months.
Currently, the app just asks you to record fish sightings. However, if you are able to identify the species, we would really like to know which types you spot. So, please let us know.
We will use any concerns on sewage discharges to report to Welsh Water and NRW but are particularly interested in gathering a clearer picture of agricultural pollution across Wales. The evidence of this can be put to Welsh Government.
Also of particular interest are septic tank or other unknown discharges on your river. We will be working with Welsh Government on the issue of septic tank discharges this Autumn.
Please download the app when it becomes available on 18th September and get involved!