"Water Watchers" Webinar on Seasonal Water Monitoring

Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition was formed by its founders in response to threats to water resources over 20 years ago. The Coalition has been science based since its founding and continues to accomplish its mission by employing the latest science to advance best management of the watershed. Staff, Youth Conservation Corps, and volunteers seasonally monitor temperature, bacteria and nitrate, and macroinvertebrates and apply and share this data in a multitude of ways. As part of its community outreach, PRWC is presenting the webinar “Water Watchers” on Wednesday May 26 at 7:00 PM to share its monitoring, data, and online resources with area residents.

“Local science on water resources should be accessible to all, not just the experts” says Outreach Coordinator Hailey McKeever. “With the tools and maps made available on our website, you can learn a lot of information about your local water with just the click of a button.”

Each spring, Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition kicks off its busy field season with the deployment of stream temperature loggers in conjuction with CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (CT DEEP) Volunteer Stream Temperature Monitoring Program, which helps identify cold water stream habitats. The Coalition continues to monitor other stream quality markers like E. coli bacteria and nitrate twice monthly from May to October. In the fall, macroinvertebrate sampling through CT DEEP’s Rapid Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV) program culminates the field season.

“Seasonal monitoring within the watershed helps scientifically evaluate the characteristics of the watershed in relation to human health, ecological conditions, and designated water uses” says Executive Director, Carol Haskins, presenter of the May 26 webinar. “Results provide a basis to identify areas in need of remediation or restoration, inform management tools, and guidedecisions that impact local water resources.”

The use of science-based evidence and education is at the heart of PRWC’s mission. In an effort to bring the results of field work to the community, Haskins will share the methods of monitoring and how to view results online. Participants will be introduced to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Real Time Streamflow Data, Groundwater and Precipitation Data, and an Interactive Stream Assessments Map among other tools that make these data available to thecommunity.

Learn about PRWC’s monitoring processes and impacts in the “Water Watchers” webinar presented by Executive Director, Carol Haskins. The webinar will take place on Zoom on May 26, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Register online at here.