Why study stream monitoring

1
Why study stream monitoring?
2
Why study stream monitoring?

• To increase the awareness of citizens about the
  importance of maintaining and improving water
  quality of streams and rivers throughout the
  world.

3
We depend on rivers
4
We depend on rivers

• for municipal water supplies
• for fish and wildlife habitats
• for clean and healthy water for recreation
• for irrigation of croplands
• for scenic vistas
• for industrial demands

5
We as citizens need to

• understand what rivers mean to the quality of our
  lives
• know which organizations and agencies are
  concerned with protecting waterways
• know how we can help, as individuals

6
Specific skills to be covered

• how to design a stream monitoring study
• the meaning of tests used for measuring water
  quality
• how to record and interpret data collected from
  stream study sites
• how to run accurate water quality tests and
  determine how they relate to each other

7
Specific skills to be covered

• how to run the tests safely in the field and
  laboratory
• how to interpret test results in terms of human
  use of the water and aquatic life
• important sources of water pollution and ways to
  help solve those problems
• how to create a comprehensive final report
  written in scientific format, and oral
  presentation using PowerPoint

8
Selecting your study site
9
Selecting your study site

• Accessibility
• Can you monitor the stream from a bridge?
• Is there an access trail present?
• Do not disturb aquatic life, ie. salmon redds

10
Selecting your study site

• Ownership
• NEVER trespass on private property to monitor a
  stream.

11
Selecting your study site

• Safety!!!
• SAFETY be aware of dangers
• Will I be able to safely monitor this stream?

12
Selecting your study site

• Your interests
• Health of aquatic life
• Human use
• drinking water, recreation, etc.

13
Monitoring the Stream

• Samples should be representative of entire
  stream.
• Based on that, where would be the best place to
  monitor?
• (a) near bank
• (b) in middle
• (c) one site
• (d) multiple sites

14
Best Plan

• In middle of stream
• bridge, boat dock, boat
• At more than one site
• upstream from what you think may be a problem,
  and downstream from the problem

15
Safety in the Field

• Best not to go alone
• Safety plan, and first aid kit
• Check the weather report
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
• Park in safe location
• Do not monitor at flood stage
• Do not monitor if posted unsafe for bodily contact

16
Safety in the Field

• Do not walk on unstable stream banks
• Be cautious when walking in the stream
• Be cautious of your attire
• Be wary of passing traffic when sampling from a
  bridge or roadside
• Be cautious of dogs, farm animals, wildlife
• Never drink the water in a stream

17
Your safety is more important than the data!

If you do not feel comfortable about the
condition of a stream or your surroundings, stop
your activities and leave the site.