Volunteer Monitors Collect Important Data on Stream Health

The Citizen-based Stream Monitoring Program (level 2) provides volunteers with various opportunities to help monitor the health of streams in Wisconsin. The program began as a pilot project in 2006 between the DNR, UW-Extension, and the River Alliance of Wisconsin. A major goal of the program is to teach citizens how to collect data on water quality in Wisconsin streams using DNR sampling equipment, methodologies, and quality assurance practices. The water quality data are entered into the DNR SWIMS database by the volunteers. Citizen monitoring helps both the DNR and local communities understand how land uses affect water quality.

Between 2006 and 2008, about 263 stations were monitored. During the 2008 field season, 170 monitoring stations were active statewide. At these stations, data were collected monthly on pre-determined dates between May and September for transparency, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Citizen groups share monitoring equipment to help the program economize.
Meters for monitoring pH and dissolved oxygen must be calibrated by the citizen monitors on each sampling day. Continuous temperature monitoring devices, called thermistors, are placed in the stream. Thermistors record the temperature every hour until the units are removed and the data are downloaded to a computer. Temperature data helps identify streams that can support cold water fish species such as trout.

Some examples of local watershed groups active in citizen-based stream monitoring are:
Friends of Allen Creek Watershed (Jefferson County) - This group formed after finding a mysterious turtle on land adjacent to Allen Creek. The turtle was a Blanding’s Turtle, a state Threatened species. In addition to collecting data for the Citizen-based Stream Monitoring Program, the Friends have received funds from the DNR’s Citizen-Based Monitoring Partnership Program to sample for sediments, nutrients, and metals in Allen Creek. They have also conducted a watershed assessment of Allen Creek that looks at surface water and groundwater interaction.

Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited - A local chapter of Trout Unlimited conducts volunteer stream monitoring as a tool in building a working relationship with the DNR. Chapter volunteers help identify streams that are suitable for rehabilitation. The monitoring data they collect increases awareness in local communities of land uses to help protect streams from future degradation. A partnership with the DNR led to a project to do pre- and post-restoration monitoring on a stream that has potential as a trout stream. This group is also partnering with the DNR to implement the Parson’s Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project. The goal of the TMDL project is to reduce sediment and nutrient loads throughout the watershed to improve water quality.

Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters (Douglas County) - This group is active in collecting water quality data in their watershed to assess stream health and identify ongoing problems. Monitoring information is used to educate local residents and direct attention towards the importance of protecting water resources within the St. Croix Headwaters area, classified as an Outstanding Exceptional Resource (OER) water. Read more about the 2009 Volunteer Stream Monitoring Award winners.

The Citizen-based Stream Monitoring Program is part of the larger Citizen-based Water Monitoring Network of informed citizen advocates for the management and protection of Wisconsin’s water resources. Level 1, Water Action Volunteers, is the entry-level program, initiated in 1997 as a statewide stream monitoring program for citizens. A multi-level program was developed during 2004-5 to provide a more broad range of stream monitoring opportunities for citizens and to collect data that could be used by DNR staff for management decisions. Level 2 was added as the 2006 pilot Citizen-based stream monitoring project. Level 3 special research projects are sponsored by DNR, universities or other agencies, or self-initiated by local citizen groups.

Water resources management is truly a partnership with the citizens of the State of Wisconsin. For more information on the Citizen-based Stream Monitoring program contact Chris Clayton. For more information on Water Action Volunteers, contact Kris Stepenuck.