The River was not a kids TV series. It was a dreadful series, where David Essex, who had seemingly forgotten how to act was a lock keeper.
There was a kids TV show, it wasn't a cartoon, it was animated like Fireman Sam and Postman Pat, set on a narrow boat. It could have been on a river or a canal, I can't remember. I don't think David Essex narrated it, but the bloke who had the boat had dark hair and an earring, so I can see how you got mixed up! If I remember what it was called I will post again.