PRWC's stream monitoring season is off to a great start! We've had multiple days in the field this week and last week.
The lab results from last week's bacteria sampling at 14 sites along the Nonnewaug, Weekeepeemee, and Pomperaug Rivers came back well within the threshold for safe recreation (i.e. fishing and swimming). So, get out there and fish!
Swimming however.... BRRRRR! The rivers were ranging from 13 to 17 degrees C (55 to 63 degrees F) yesterday when we placed out stream temperature data loggers at their respective monitoring sites. The data loggers are programmed to record water temperature every hour for the entire summer, which adds a wealth of information to our stream data sets and helps us determine thermal class of our local rivers.
These assessments will help to establish an improved baseline of water quality conditions, further characterize pollutant sources and problem areas, and further bracket priority areas for non-point source pollution, and stormwater run-off reduction projects.