The Rivers Trust logo

Big River Watch returns!

Take part in the next Big River Watch and survey your local river between the 19th and 25th of September. Every observation makes a difference and helps us fight for wild, healthy, natural rivers. 

Get involved
The river Wye

Wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all.

Healthy rivers are essential to human life, they provide us with drinking water, they water our crops, they are home to important species of wildlife, they provide recreational spaces for our health and wellbeing.

Make a difference
Child looking at nature
A man testing water quality using sampling kit people planting a wetland

0% good overall health

0%

of all rivers in England and Northern Ireland are classed as 'good overall'.

Natural barriers

99%

of British rivers have artificial barriers obstructing migrating fish

Species decline

83%

decline in freshwater species globally since 1970

1% of the earth

1%

of the earth's surface is made up of freshwater ecosystems, yet they provide habitat for 100,000+ species

Take action.

See what you can do to save rivers and help communities thrive.

Let's go
Sign up

Get informed

River in drought

Drought and water scarcity

Many people don’t even realise that the UK and Ireland experience drought; after all, we’re known for our rain! However, it only takes a few sunny days to dry our vulnerable rivers to the point that they virtually disappear, with disastrous consequences for wildlife and river ecosystems.

Learn more

A CSO with wetwipes clinging to the bars

Raw sewage in our rivers

Sewage is discharged into rivers across the UK and Ireland on a daily basis. This isn’t an isolated problem; it occurs up and down the country, affecting urban city centre rivers and pristine chalk streams alike.

Learn more

Volunteer holding sapling

Take action

Whether you can’t wait to get your hands dirty while cleaning up rivers, or you’d rather support us from the comfort of your own home, there are lots of ways you can support our work to restore rivers.

Learn more

The camera bisects the surface of the water, with river plants shown below and a person walking along the bank above

State of Our Rivers

The race to climate resilience will be won or lost on rivers – and right now we’re losing.

Learn more

Latest news

A man and his brown dog stand in front of a river in running gear

Running for Rivers: CEO Mark Lloyd takes on 43-mile ultramarathon challenge inspired by salmon migration to raise vital funds

  • Emma Brisdion

To raise awareness of the plight of salmon and fundraise for the vital work of The Rivers Trust, this September our CEO, Mark Lloyd will take part in the Salmon Run/​43-mile ultramarathon challenge along the River Exe, following the species’ migration route upstream.

Learn more

A runner tying up shoelaces on blue running shoes on tarmac

We’re lacing up our running shoes! The Rivers Trust team support Mark Lloyd’s epic 43-mile ultramarathon challenge

  • Emily MacAulay
  • Blog

As Chief Executive Mark Lloyd continues training for his upcoming ultramarathon as part of the Salmon Run, several members of our staff are lacing up their own running shoes.

Learn more

A dry gravel stream bed with grass banks and trees overhanging.

Mark Lloyd: Let’s not forget this drought!

  • The Rivers Trust

Rivers Trust CEO, Mark Lloyd, reflects on the risk of forgetting the drought once the rains return and emphasises the need for action at every level to protect our precious water environments.

Learn more

water flows from an outside tap against a sunset

Creative ways to save water: reduce your use to support our rivers

  • Matthew Woodard

River levels in the UK are worryingly low. Help ease the pressure on our rivers and water supplies with our creative ways to reduce your water footprint during dry spells.

Learn more