Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:23:25 -0400
From: Debbie Tunnell
Subject: What’s that critter in the water?
Do you live in the Haw River watershed, near the Haw River or one of its tributary creeks? Do you want to see what’s happening in the watershed? Are you interested in becoming a River Watcher? An experienced River Watcher will train you or your group to be part of the River Watch Network.
The Haw River Watch Network is a program sponsored by the Haw River Assembly, a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to restore and protect the health of the Haw River and its tributaries. The River Watch Network, established in 1995, is a citizen’s river monitoring effort. The goals of the network are to act as eyes, ears, and noses on the river and to provide a clearer picture of the health of the Haw by determining the type and location of pollution sources.
This project has grown over the years to include over 40 teams monitoring the Haw River and its tributaries throughout the basin. We ask River Watchers become members of the Haw River Assembly, and to contribute the cost of their equipment if they can. As a Haw River Watcher, you will become part of the North Carolina Stream Watch Program.
The heart of River Watch is the four seasonal “snapshots” taken in March, June, September, and December. At different locations on the Haw River and its tributaries/creeks, teams of volunteers (adults and children) assess the water quality of the river or creek. They complete an assessment of the river or creek by filling in a survey form and mailing it to the River Watch project, where it is entered into the River Watch database.
The result is a view of the health of the river basin throughout the year. Teams are trained and equipped to monitor water quality through aquatic insect counts (and other critters in the water), pH tests, temperature and observations. We use the information to get a picture of the river in each season and to track any changes over time.
Volunteers act as guardians of their streams, notifying the proper authorities if pollution is suspected.
Learn more about our monitoring methods – http://www.hawriver.org/index.php?contentid=76.
You can see a YouTube video from our March 29 Macro-Micro event in Bynum at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utgebl2Dp7c
For more information contact: Cynthia Crossen, Haw River Watch Coordinator, (919) 967-2500 – or email Cynthia at:
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