StreamWatch
ORMN Project Contact: Daniel Beisner – bisonr1(at)aol.com
Project Background
StreamWatch is the Rivanna Watershed’s local stream monitoring volunteer program. It is part of the Rivanna Conservation Alliance which was established on January 1, 2016 through a merger between the Rivanna Conservation Society (established in 1990) and StreamWatch (established in 2010). The overall mission is to protect the Rivanna River and its tributaries through community involvement, conservation, education, recreation, restoration, water-quality monitoring and reporting. The Rivanna Watershed includes some tributaries in Greene County.
StreamWatch is the Rivanna Watershed’s local stream monitoring volunteer program. It is part of the Rivanna Conservation Alliance which was established on January 1, 2016 through a merger between the Rivanna Conservation Society (established in 1990) and StreamWatch (established in 2010). The overall mission is to protect the Rivanna River and its tributaries through community involvement, conservation, education, recreation, restoration, water-quality monitoring and reporting. The Rivanna Watershed includes some tributaries in Greene County.
CS (Citizen Science) Activities with StreamWatch
Stream Monitoring
The purpose of stream monitoring is to evaluate and record relative stream health by surveying benthic macro-invertebrates present in designated Virginia streams. ORMN volunteers may participate in a stream monitoring session under the guidance of a certified lead monitor. Lead monitors are responsible for conducting the sampling, and recording results. Participants will enter designated Virginia streams and, using a kick net, will conduct up to four sampling of benthic macro-invertebrates present in the stream. Macro-invertebrates are counted by species and returned to the stream after the count is completed. Additional stream health indicators, such as temperature of water, relative sedimentation, and type of vegetation cover, etc., are also recorded during the monitoring session.
The purpose of stream monitoring is to evaluate and record relative stream health by surveying benthic macro-invertebrates present in designated Virginia streams. ORMN volunteers may participate in a stream monitoring session under the guidance of a certified lead monitor. Lead monitors are responsible for conducting the sampling, and recording results. Participants will enter designated Virginia streams and, using a kick net, will conduct up to four sampling of benthic macro-invertebrates present in the stream. Macro-invertebrates are counted by species and returned to the stream after the count is completed. Additional stream health indicators, such as temperature of water, relative sedimentation, and type of vegetation cover, etc., are also recorded during the monitoring session.
- Locations: Monitoring stations designated by StreamWatch within the Rivanna River watershed in Central Virginia, which include locations within Greene County. Click for a map of streams.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Stream monitoring may involve exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Participants will enter the water of local streams. Slip hazards can be numerous, depending upon the site.
- Special Requirements: None.
- Time Commitment: Monitoring sessions generally run from 2 to 4 hours depending upon the quality of species uncovered during the net sampling. Numbers and experience of participants can greatly impact the time needed to complete the monitoring protocol.
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