Become a Citizen Scientist
Monitoring the health of our waterways is an essential part of effective stewardship and conservation, and WATR teams regularly assess the health of streams throughout the Tuckasegee watershed. Our nation’s fresh water system is so vast that EPA strongly urges “citizen scientists” to track and report water quality. There is no prior experience needed to be a citizen scientist– we provide volunteers with the training and equipment they need to collect data. These front-line volunteers have inside knowledge of the watershed, so they are also in a prime position to identify issues, contribute to positive changes, and advocate for our water.
Swim Guide
The Swim Guide provides information on E. Coli and sediment levels, to help you choose locations to swim, paddle, fish, and play in the water. During the summer recreation season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), WATR volunteers collect weekly samples at 17 sites in Jackson and Swain Counties.
For more information on the program and a full list of sites in the Tuckasegee watershed, check out our Swim Guide page.
VWIN
The Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) is a volunteer-based monitoring program that began in 1990 and tracks water quality at rivers, streams, and lakes across Western North Carolina.
WATR volunteers take monthly samples at 12 sites, and sample an additional 8 sites quarterly. Our partners at the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) lab in Black Mountain test each sample for 8 parameters (ammonia, nitrates/nitrites, orthophosphates, turbidity, total suspended solids, conductivity, alkalinity, and pH). WATR was part of the program from 2003-2011, and restarted our program in 2022, so this data provides an important picture of water quality over time. It allows us to identify potential issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Contact us if you are interested in participating.
Resources:
- Map of VWIN Sites
- Learn more about VWIN and the Environmental Quality Institute
Biomonitoring
Coming soon! Did you know that you can assess a stream’s health by looking at the types and numbers of aquatic insects and fish that live there? WATR has held biomonitoring trainings for members who are interested in aquatic ecology and want to help collect critical data and monitor change in our streams over time. Volunteers commit to one day of training, then collect samples on one morning in the spring and one in the fall going forward. Contact us if you are interested.
