Volunteer Water Quality
Monitoring
in the St. Joseph River Basin
There is a growing
interest in volunteer water quality monitoring in the St. Joseph River Basin.
Programs exist to train volunteers to conduct simple water column
tests along with evaluation of macro invertebrates (aquatic insects). Volunteers are
requested to share the data they collect. However, this is not a requirement for
participation in any of programs identified below. A central database for all
volunteer water quality data is maintained by the Hoosier RiverWatch program
under the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources RiverWatch program conducts training sessions periodically to prepare volunteers to conduct the analysis and also conducts an advanced training program to assist in "training the trainer".
Another program with a prime focus on water resources education is the Water Watchers of the St. Joseph River Basin. This program is inter-disciplinary and involves students at area middle and high schools participating in water quality analysis, history and geography related to water resources, and art and language arts. Students conduct water analysis twice a year. The program is loosely structured, whereby each school identifies what their activities and depth of inter-disciplinary involvement will be.
Finally, a group of lake property owners in the eastern part of the River Basin have been involved in water quality testing for a number of years. This program is coordinated by the Wood-Land-Lakes R.C. & D. and the Steuben County Lakes Council and has a foundation in the lakes turbidity program administered by the Indiana University at Bloomington School of Public and Environmental Administration program.
For more information about any of these programs, contact us for the appropriate referral.
St. Joseph River
Basin Commission
227 W. Jefferson Blvd.--#1120
South Bend, Indiana 46601-1830
PHONE: 574-287-1829 FAX: 574-287-1840
