A large white swan swims across the canal lined with green foliage either side

Canal & river wildlife

Our canals and rivers are packed with fascinating wildlife and plants. By helping nature to thrive, we're ensuring our waterways stay in good health, now and in the future.

A guide to canal wildlife species

We've put together a spotter's guide to what you might find on, in and by our canals

Invasive species
Invasive species can have a devastating effect on native canal wildlife as they compete for food, space, sunlight and water
Invasive species
Invasive species can have a devastating effect on native canal wildlife as they compete for food, space, sunlight and water
Identification and spotting guides
Learn how to identify different creatures, tips for spotting wildlife and the plants you might find on the towpath
Identification and spotting guides
Learn how to identify different creatures, tips for spotting wildlife and the plants you might find on the towpath
Canal and river habitats
Discover more about the unique habitats our waterways provide for all kinds of flora and fauna
Canal and river habitats
Discover more about the unique habitats our waterways provide for all kinds of flora and fauna
Plant species
Discover a diversity of bright wildflowers, wildlife-friendly aquatic plants and a canopy of trees
Plant species
Discover a diversity of bright wildflowers, wildlife-friendly aquatic plants and a canopy of trees

Removing floating pennywort using a weed conver boat

Invasive Species Eradication Project 2021-2025

Read more about the ground-breaking methods we used on invasive plant species as part of this award-winning project

Summer fun

Our canals are loved and used all year round, but the warmer months are particularly popular when it comes to certain activities.

Fighting pollution & climate change

Plastic causes catastrophic damage to our canals and rivers, and the species that call them home.

Our teams of colleagues and volunteers make up to 6,650 trips a year, picking up litter at 230 sites along our waterways, but we all need to do more, where we can, to keep our waters safe for wildlife.

Read the video transcript
Nine ways canals can tackle climate change.
The Canal & River Trust looks after more than 2,000 miles of inland waterways throughout England and Wales, and our unique network is starting to play a vital role in the UK’s fight against climate change.
Active travel and low carbon transport: our towpaths offer appealing, traffic-free, active travel routes to nine million people living within a ten-minute walk of our waterways. And every year, thousands of tonnes of freight are moved along our canals and rivers.
Heating and cooling systems: canal water can be used to heat and cool canalside buildings using water-sourced heat pumps, which are significantly more efficient than their air-sourced equivalents.
Reducing urban temperatures: the urban heat island effect increases temperatures in city centres, and this is said to worsen as temperatures rise. Water has a natural cooling effect, making urban areas next to waterways pleasant spaces to live and work and up to 1.6 degrees cooler.
Transferring water: it’s predicted that droughts will become more frequent, more severe, and more widespread. The Trusts’ waterways can help alleviate shortages by transferring water from areas with a surplus to those with higher levels of water stress.
Addressing flooding: the Trust’s canals are artificial channels that cut across natural drainage paths. With the right investment, they can play a role in mitigating flood risks by intercepting drainage, holding up flows, and even moving water away from towns and properties at risk.
Utilising hydropower: hydropower from our waterways generates 20 million kilowatt hours, which equates to power for around 6,200 homes and saves around 9,500 tonnes of CO2.
Low carbon energy for boats: the Trust is partnering in pilot schemes to install electricity charging points at inner city moorings, which encourages the use of electricity for heating as well as propulsion.
Helping nature recovery: nature-rich canalsides act as vital wildlife corridors, helping to connect isolated natural habitats so wildlife can spread, recover, and thrive again.
Providing ‘doorstep destinations’: having great destinations on their doorstep prevents people from having to travel by car to spend time in nature. Whether it’s a short visit with the kids to see the ducks, an afternoon of paddleboarding, or a trip to a canalside pub, less travel will help reduce CO2 emissions.
The canals that were built to support the first Industrial Revolution can be used to deliver the Green Industrial Revolution. And we do all of this whilst also ensuring that our canals and rivers continue to be a back garden for everyone to enjoy any time. To find out more, please search Canal & River Trust.