Access to long-term biodiversity datasets is vital for monitoring, managing, and protecting freshwater ecosystems. Detecting critical ecosystem changes, such as losing unique biodiversity and ecosystem services, is dependent on access to data. A wealth of biodiversity data exists for river ecosystems in South Africa, but an operational information system to access these data is currently not available. To address this knowledge gap, the Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (FBIS) has been developed. FBIS is a platform for hosting, visualizing, and sharing freshwater biodiversity information for South African rivers. The project seeks to mobilize and import to the system baseline biodiversity data, identify strategic long-term monitoring sites, and train key organizations on how to use the information system. Using map-based visualizations, user-friendly dashboards and rapid data extraction capabilities, the system will improve knowledge of freshwater biodiversity and long-term river health trends, thereby supporting better-informed river management decisions and conservation planning projects.