Stream Monitoring Training - May 19th

Join a network of over 500 stream monitoring volunteers across Wisconsin with the Water Action Volunteers Program!

By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how to measure water quality and be ready to adopt your own stream monitoring site. No experience or equipment needed!

At this hands-on baseline stream monitoring training for new WAV volunteers, you will learn how to measure five important elements of stream health using scientific tools and techniques:

Water temperature – affects oxygen demand and can threaten creatures’ survival.

Transparency – takes into account both color and suspended particles in the water.

Dissolved oxygen – lack of it can cause aquatic animals to quickly leave the area or face death.

Streamflow – the amount of flowing water in a stream impacts the habitat available for creatures living in and near the stream.

Stream macroinvertebrates – insects, worms, crustaceans, clams, and other small, boneless creatures that are visible without the aid of a microscope are used to assess water quality based on their tolerance to conditions.

Instructors:

Katy Bradford, WAV Program Manager, UW-Madison Extension

Emily Heald, Rivers Educator, UW-Madison Extension

This WAV baseline stream monitoring training is co-hosted with local WAV Coordinator Mitchell McCarthy, Sauk County Land Resources and Environment.

What to expect:

WAV baseline stream monitoring trainings are hands-on group field trainings that are outdoors alongside a wadeable stream! Trainings are open to people of all abilities. No experience is necessary! Everyone will be invited to wade into the stream to collect data as part of the training. We also have roles for those who want to keep their feet dry, such as analyzing water samples with chemicals to test for dissolved oxygen, identifying macroinvertebrates collected from the stream, and recording data on the WAV datasheet. All monitoring equipment, including gloves and safety glasses, will be provided.

Streams are moving waters and WAV volunteers enjoy watching them change throughout the seasons. We may encounter slippery surfaces, steep banks, deeper pools where fish like to hide, and areas of stronger currents. Boots and waders will be provided for participants to use, or you can bring your own. You are encouraged to wear a life jacket for safety.

Dress appropriately for being in the field and prepare for weather such as rain, wind, and hot or cold temperatures. Come prepared with whatever you need to be comfortable for 3.5 hours, such as sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a rain jacket, warm layers, water, snacks, or even a camp chair or stool for sitting on. The training will only be cancelled if there is lightning, thunderstorms or severe weather. We will send an email the day before the training to notify participants.

Some training sites are located in remote areas with limited cellular reception while others are located in urban areas. It's good practice to have a first aid kit on hand and be familiar with nearby health care centers in case you need them.

We're looking forward to meeting you in the field and exploring the health of the stream together!

Questions?

Contact WAV Program Extension staff or your local WAV Coordinator:

Katy Bradford, WAV Program Manager, wav@extension.wisc.edu or 608-331-0173

Mitchell McCarthy, local WAV Coordinator for Sauk County, Mitchell.mccarthy@saukcountywi.gov, 608-355-4836

Link to Registration for Sauk County WAV Baseline Training