Hennepin Conservation District
River Watch Program
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Monitoring data, map, and site details Warning: 5 MB pdf file |
HCD initiated the River Watch Program in 1995. It's goals are:
- to provide hands-on environmental education for high school and college students
- to promote river stewardship
- to gather water quality data
The River Watch Program is unique because it connects teachers and students with professionals to monitor the health of local streams. Participants use National River Watch Network methods, which are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Bioassessment Protocols.
The monitoring program started with six sites in 1995 and has expanded to twenty-two sites. In 2001 an estimated 900 students from twenty-three high schools and colleges participated. Each school samples their site(s) twice a year.
Tracking River Health
Data is gathered by monitoring macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects, crustaceans, etc.) and assessing stream habitat characteristics provides valuable information about the health of streams. Some macroinvertebrates need excellent water quality to survive, while others are able to thrive in polluted water. These organisms reflect water quality much the same way canaries reflect air quality in coal mines.
Water Quality
The water quality of local streams is important to everyone's quality of life. Nobody wants to have polluted waters running through their yards or areas where their children play. Yet appearances can be deceiving, leading one to mistakenly assume that a clear stream flowing through beautiful wooded area is healthy -- when it is actually nearly devoid of life. Long-term monitoring of our streams allows communities to detect problems and create solutions.
(c) 2003 Hennepin Conservation District