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Why Monitor?

Surface Water is monitored for several reasons:

To identify trends and changes in water quality over time
To identify existing or emerging water quality problems
To assist in the design of pollution prevention or remediation programs
To determine whether project goals are being met or projects are effective
To determine the impacts of a discharge or land-use practice
To respond to emergencies such as floods or toxic spills

How is Biological Monitoring Conducted?

Our monitors use the Modified Virginia Save Our Streams protocol, in which samples of bottom-dwelling macro-invertebrates are taken from the stream, and an index of water quality is calculated based on the numbers and types of organisms collected. For more information about this procedure, we recommend that you visit the SOS website.

How is Chemical Monitoring Conducted?

Chemical monitoring provides information on the condition of the water at that very instant you collect the sample. Many factors can influence the results such as rainfall, temperature, flow, etc. Our monitors test for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, phosphorus, nitrates, nitrites, total suspended solids, Kjeldahl nitrogen, and fecal coliform bacteria. Each of these factors has an important part in determining what organisms the stream is able to support and the overall productivity of the stream.

Where are we Monitoring?

The Rappahannock River Basin consists of all areas which drain into the Rappahannock River. We are monitoring the portion of the Upper Rappahannock Watershed that lies within the counties that make up the District. Monitoring stations have been established on most small watershed tributaries and sites where samples are taken were chosen mainly on the basis of accessibility.

To see a map of the sites within the Culpeper SWCD and John Marshall SWCD that are being monitored, click here. Clicking on a station on the key below will bring up a photo of the site, and more information about the site.

Who is Doing the Monitoring?

Monitors are local residents who have volunteered to undergo training and who have made a commitment to monitor water quality at one or more water quality monitoring stations on a quarterly basis. For some photos of the participants, click here.

Who is Doing the Training?

From July to August 2001 two students from Virginia Tech, Mary Crawford and Tracy Hudak, joined the Culpeper SWCD as STEP interns to help set up the citizen water quality monitoring project. They trained a number of volunteers and conducted a good deal of the initial monitoring, as well as compiling historical data on water quality in the area.

Their own training was conducted by Greg Wichelns, District Manager, and John Bauer. They have been "certified to certify" by Jay Gilliam. John Bauer has long been active in promoting local water quality issues, and has taken an active role in training volunteers to conduct accurate monitoring of local streams.

Currently, stream monitors are trained through the Culpeper SWCD office by Greg Wichelns. Call the District at 540-825-8591 for more information about stream monitoring.