Equipment and Calendar
Monitoring Equipment and Calendar
Each student-teacher team performs seasonal rounds of monitoring at two or more monitoring locations within their selected stream. Sampling is done by all teams within the same 2-3 week period in spring, summer, and fall of each year. Most stream monitoring is performed when streams are wade-able and not affected by recent rain events.
How and when do we measure it?
Each student-teacher team performs seasonal rounds of monitoring at two or more monitoring locations within their selected stream. Sampling is done by all teams within the same 2-3 week period in spring, summer, and fall of each year. Most stream monitoring is performed when streams are wade-able and not affected by recent rain events.
Water Chemistry |
|
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus |
Ammonia Nitrogen |
Nitrate Nitrogen |
Equipment |
Hach DR/850 or
DR/900 Colorimeter
|
Hach
DR/850 or DR/900
Colorimeter |
Hach DR/850 or DR/900
Colorimeter |
Method |
Colorimetric,Ascorbic Acid |
Colorimetric, Salicylate |
Colorimetric, Cadmium Reduction |
When Monitored |
Fall (September – October), Spring (May), Summer (July – August) |
Physical Parameters |
|
Stream Flow |
Temp. |
Transparency/
Turbidity |
Conductivity |
pH |
DO |
Equipment |
|
Floating Object |
YSI 55 or
YSI Pro 20i DO/Temp. Probe |
Transparency /Turbidity Tube, 60 cm |
Oakton EC Testr+ low |
Oakton pHTester |
Method |
Floating Object Method |
Meter and thermistor |
Clear tube w/ secchi disk and drain valve |
Meter and electrode |
Meter and electrode |
Meter and polarographic sensor probe |
When Monitored |
Fall (September – October), Spring (May), Summer (July – August) |
Habitat and Biota |
|
Stream Habitat |
In –stream Biotic Integrity |
Stream Corridor |
Frogs |
Birds |
Equipment |
Standardized schematic and inventory form |
Macro-
invertebrate taxonomic keys |
GPS units, thermometer |
GPS units, binoculars, field guides, CDs |
Method |
USEPA Streamwalk
and WDNR WAV |
Biotic Index Calculation; WDNR WAV taxonomic key |
5 min
Amphibian Calling Survey |
10 point counts; assisted by professional birder |
When Monitored |
Summer |
Summer |
3 times in April-June |
June |
Sampling Schedule
Each student-teacher team performs seasonal rounds of monitoring at two or more monitoring locations within their selected stream. Sampling is done by all teams within the same 2-3 week period in spring, summer, and fall of each year. Most stream monitoring is performed when streams are wade-able and not affected by recent rain events. All teams use standardized methods and professional-grade equipment. Monitoring protocols were modified from the SWRP manual (Lindbo, et al., 2003), the University of Wisconsin Extension/WDNR Water Action Volunteers (WAV) citizen stream monitoring program (UWEX/WDNR, 2010) and Howe, et al., (1997).
Date |
Activity |
|
no sampling since 2016 |
Amphibians |
Teams listen for frogs three times at three points each time. Sampling dates are determined by overnight temperatures. |
April 24 -
May 18 |
Water Quality |
Teams monitor two stream stations for water quality |
no sampling since 2016 |
Birds |
Each team monitors 10 birding locations adjacent to their stream over a 1-2 day period. |
July 5 -
August 7 |
Water Quality, Habitat & Biota |
Teams monitor two stream stations for water quality. Stream habitat and macroinvertebrate survey are also done at this time. |
September 18 - October 16 |
Water Quality |
Teams monitor two stream stations for water quality |