Watershed Stewards
Water Quality Monitoring
Watershed Stewards monitor local streams to determine if fish have quality habitat, whether mitigation and restoration projects are effective, and to see if the water is safe for human contact. By constantly monitoring the quality of our water, we help guide habitat restoration and provide data necessary to make better decisions.
Chemical and physical measurements of water quality like dissolved oxygen, presence of fecal coliform, phosphorous, and nitrogen help us identify possible pollution sources.
Benthic macroinvertebrates, the larval forms of insects that live underwater, are valuable indicators of the long-term health of streams. Since they have the same habitat requirements as endangered Salmon and other fish, their presence or absence tells us whether a particular stream reach is good habitat for salmon.
Habitat Assessments look at the physical features of a stream or wetland and tell us how the site compares to a similar location unaffected by human activities. By gauging the effects of our own actions on natural areas, we can determine how well that area is functioning and what kinds of restoration activities might best repair damage and restore natural function.
If you think you might be interested in monitoring one or more aspects of water quality in your area, contact Chad Hoxeng at Clark County Public Works at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4282 or email to: chad.hoxeng@clark.wa.gov.