In collaboration with WDNR, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and local community groups, VSN trains volunteers who serve as “citizen scientists” to measure key parameters that indicate how well our streams and rivers support life. To date, we have trained 53 citizen scientists who currently collect monthly data at over 30 riparian sites. Follow the links below to learn more about the types of water monitoring VSN conducts and how you can get involved:
VSN offers three levels of citizen-based monitoring:
Level-I monitoring provides a baseline understanding of a waterway’s health by measuring pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, transparency, nitrates, nitrites, and flow on a monthly basis. Each season, Level-I monitors also assess habitat and conduct aquatic insect (bio-index) sampling. Level-I monitoring is also known as baseline monitoring, described in more detail on the UWEX-Water Action Volunteers website.
Level-II monitoring uses more sophisticated equipment and WDNR-approved protocols so monitoring data can be used in WDNR research. Learn more about Level-II stream monitoring.
Event-driven monitoring checks levels of nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia, plus harmful bacteria, all of which can pose biological threats to streams and rivers.
Data collected through Level-I and Level-II WQM establishes baseline measures of watershed health. Such baselines are critical for determining how various types of land use affect our watershed. Agricultural production and urban runoff (non-point source pollution) are the primary causes of water pollution in Wisconsin. In cases of manure spills or flooding, we use event-driven monitoring to quickly test nearby waterways to determine how the event has affected watershed health.
VSN is taking part in the River Alliance’s Project RED: Riverine Early Detectors. This is an excellent citizens’ monitoring program and you can take part in for one-day or throughout the summer months.
Wisconsin’s rivers are vulnerable to invasion by a number of invasive species from Eurasian milfoil to Japanese knotweed. The key to successfully protecting your river is detecting invasives early when it is still possible to isolate or eradicate the infestation. The longer we wait to find them and fight them, the more money and time it will take. Volunteers like you are invaluable for early detection.
Valley Stewardship Network and Kickapoo area students get their hands and feet wet in the name of science!
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, VSN hosted two mussel monitoring initiatives for students to literally “get their hands and feet wet” in the name of science. VSN staff worked with WDNR staff, Lisie Kitchel and John Paul White, Nathan Eckert of the Genoa Fish Hatchery and Paul Hayes, long-time VSN volunteer water monitor and retired biology teacher, to coordinate and accomplish two mussel monitoring events for both the Kickapoo Homeschool Cooperative students and the entire Youth Initiative High School located in Viroqua, WI. Between both events, participants ranged in ages from 7-18, and many parents and school staff joined in as well for a total of nearly 70 participants.
VSN’s citizen water quality monitors don’t routinely test bacteria levels and types, because such testing is expensive. However, bacteria are important indicators of watershed health. As often as possible, VSN applies for special project funds to monitor bacteria levels on the Kickapoo River or its tributaries.
What is Monitored?
Data being collected include dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate and nitrite levels, stream flow, turbidity (or transparency), and air and water temperature. A regular assessment of the habitat allows us to record changes that happen over time at the site. Aquatic insect life (bio-index) is examined and rated to gauge the stream’s health.
When?
Sites are monitored once a month from May through September. The citizen volunteers also meet throughout the year at various locations to discuss results and procedures.
Where?
A stream near where you live or go to school.
How?
We provide training, assistance and support throughout the year. We offer formal, one-day training session by local or state experts, along with hands-on help from fellow volunteers. To learn more call our office at 608-637-3615 or email our WQM Program Manager.
Even if you can’t commit to testing the waters once a month, you can still support VSN’s WQM program. Consider adopting a full WQM kit. Each kit costs $200. Contact our WQM Program Manager for more information on this program.
Citizen-Based Monitoring (CBM)
In collaboration with WDNR, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and local community groups, VSN trains volunteers who serve as “citizen scientists” to measure key parameters that indicate how well our streams and rivers support life. To date, we have trained 53 citizen scientists who currently collect monthly data at over 30 riparian sites. Follow the links below to learn more about the types of water monitoring VSN conducts and how you can get involved:
Levels of Citizen-Based Monitoring
Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring (Project RED)
Mussel Monitoring
Bacteria Monitoring
Become a Citizen Water Monitor
Adopt a Bucket
Levels of Citizen-Based Monitoring
VSN offers three levels of citizen-based monitoring:
Level-I monitoring provides a baseline understanding of a waterway’s health by measuring pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, transparency, nitrates, nitrites, and flow on a monthly basis. Each season, Level-I monitors also assess habitat and conduct aquatic insect (bio-index) sampling. Level-I monitoring is also known as baseline monitoring, described in more detail on the UWEX-Water Action Volunteers website.
Level-II monitoring uses more sophisticated equipment and WDNR-approved protocols so monitoring data can be used in WDNR research. Learn more about Level-II stream monitoring.
Event-driven monitoring checks levels of nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia, plus harmful bacteria, all of which can pose biological threats to streams and rivers.
Data collected through Level-I and Level-II WQM establishes baseline measures of watershed health. Such baselines are critical for determining how various types of land use affect our watershed. Agricultural production and urban runoff (non-point source pollution) are the primary causes of water pollution in Wisconsin. In cases of manure spills or flooding, we use event-driven monitoring to quickly test nearby waterways to determine how the event has affected watershed health.
Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring
VSN is taking part in the River Alliance’s Project RED: Riverine Early Detectors. This is an excellent citizens’ monitoring program and you can take part in for one-day or throughout the summer months.
Wisconsin’s rivers are vulnerable to invasion by a number of invasive species from Eurasian milfoil to Japanese knotweed. The key to successfully protecting your river is detecting invasives early when it is still possible to isolate or eradicate the infestation. The longer we wait to find them and fight them, the more money and time it will take. Volunteers like you are invaluable for early detection.
Learn more about Project RED.
Mussel Monitoring
Valley Stewardship Network and Kickapoo area students get their hands and feet wet in the name of science!
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, VSN hosted two mussel monitoring initiatives for students to literally “get their hands and feet wet” in the name of science. VSN staff worked with WDNR staff, Lisie Kitchel and John Paul White, Nathan Eckert of the Genoa Fish Hatchery and Paul Hayes, long-time VSN volunteer water monitor and retired biology teacher, to coordinate and accomplish two mussel monitoring events for both the Kickapoo Homeschool Cooperative students and the entire Youth Initiative High School located in Viroqua, WI. Between both events, participants ranged in ages from 7-18, and many parents and school staff joined in as well for a total of nearly 70 participants.
Read more about VSN’s mussel monitoring efforts in this December 7, 2011 press release (PDF).
Learn about the “Mussel Monitoring Program of Wisconsin” at http://wiatri.net/inventory/mussels/.
Produced under a 2010-2011 grant from the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board
Bacteria Monitoring
VSN’s citizen water quality monitors don’t routinely test bacteria levels and types, because such testing is expensive. However, bacteria are important indicators of watershed health. As often as possible, VSN applies for special project funds to monitor bacteria levels on the Kickapoo River or its tributaries.
View the results of VSN’s 2004-2007 Kickapoo River Bacteria Monitoring Project
Become a Citizen Water Monitor
What is Monitored?
Data being collected include dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate and nitrite levels, stream flow, turbidity (or transparency), and air and water temperature. A regular assessment of the habitat allows us to record changes that happen over time at the site. Aquatic insect life (bio-index) is examined and rated to gauge the stream’s health.
When?
Sites are monitored once a month from May through September. The citizen volunteers also meet throughout the year at various locations to discuss results and procedures.
Where?
A stream near where you live or go to school.
How?
We provide training, assistance and support throughout the year. We offer formal, one-day training session by local or state experts, along with hands-on help from fellow volunteers. To learn more call our office at 608-637-3615 or email our WQM Program Manager.
EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED!
Adopt a Bucket
Even if you can’t commit to testing the waters once a month, you can still support VSN’s WQM program. Consider adopting a full WQM kit. Each kit costs $200. Contact our WQM Program Manager for more information on this program.