Protecting Ohio’s highest quality rivers and streams for over 50 years!
The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Ohio’s State Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Program in 2018. The Ohio Scenic Rivers Program is continuing its commitment to conservation by training volunteers to conduct water quality monitoring (SQM) at designated scenic rivers and creeks throughout the summer. SQM workshops train volunteers to sample the water quality by learning how to seine (net) and identify the aquatic macroinvertebrates (insects) that live in the rivers. Training includes learning to complete and submit report forms and identifying water quality issues. Volunteers should wear old clothes and closed-toe shoes and be prepared to wade in shallow portions of the stream. Groups are welcome.
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Warren County SWCD participates in the ODNR Stream Quality Program. Our testing site is at river mile 44 on the Little Miami River. If you would like to learn more about Stream Water Quality Monitoring or volunteer with Warren County SWCD doing Stream Water Quality Monitoring, please e-mail Education & Communications Specialist, Melissa Proffitt
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ODNR Stream Quality Program
How are Streams Monitored? |
Small aquatic organisms (macroinvertebrates) are collected from a stream and surveyed to determine which types are present and how frequently they occur. The organisms are returned to the water and data is used to determine the health of that portion of the stream.
Macroinvertebrates are highly effective barometers of a river's health because they have varying tolerances of pollution. Surveying the presence, quantity, and diversity of macroinvertebrates can indicate potential problems. The monitoring process includes seining the same portion of a river 3 or 4 times a year, logging water and weather conditions, and counting macroinvertebrates. The macroinvertebrate survey data is entered into an assessment form and a score is determined for the site. This scoring technique is called the cumulative index value and it helps determine if the quality of the site seined is excellent, good, fair or poor. Because Stream Quality Monitoring doesn't require any chemical analysis, biological monitoring is a simple and cost-effective method of testing a stream's health. |
Who monitors the rivers? |
The stream quality assessments are performed by hundreds of trained volunteers who observe firsthand any changes occurring in the river. These volunteers are called SQMs or Stream Quality Monitors.
Thousands of participants help the trained volunteers survey about 150 designated stations on Ohio's scenic rivers. Participants range from scouting groups and school classes to conservation groups, fishing and hunting clubs, and senior citizens. Volunteers fill out assessment forms for their assigned stations a few times per year, which helps the division prepare a cumulative index value for each stream station. These values rank a stream's health as excellent, good, fair or poor at the time of monitoring, and are a direct result of the diversity of collected macroinvertebrates. The assessment data is used to produce the annual Stream Quality Report for a scenic river. As the data accumulates, seasonal and other normal fluctuations can become predictable. Abnormal changes can indicate potential pollution problems, which would prompt further investigation. Ongoing monitoring is essential to protecting the health of Ohio's Scenic Rivers. |
Be a Volunteer SQM Monitor! |
Being an SQM is easy and fun, and it doesn't take a large commitment of time or any prior experience.
Free workshops are offered at each of the scenic rivers so you can learn about what volunteers do. Our SQM Coordinators teach you how to identify macroinvertebrates and how to record your findings. Once you decide to become a volunteer, there is some paperwork to fill out and send back to us. Volunteers are assigned a stream location and are responsible for at least two monitoring sessions per season at that location. All equipment is provided, and the SQM Coordinators are available to support your efforts. Working in teams of two or more, monitors examine small riffle areas of stream bottoms and use fine mesh nets, called seines, to collect macroinvertebrates. Data are recorded on an assessment form and the macroinvertebrates are then released. Volunteers are responsible for turning their data in to the SQM Coordinator. Whether you are an individual or part of a larger organization, we invite you to help make a difference. Contact the SQM Coordinator in your area or attend a workshop for more information. Southwest Ohio SQM Coordinator Scenic Rivers Program ODNR Division of Parks & Watercraft 1750 Osborn Rd. Wilmington, Ohio 45177 Office (937) 382-1096 Fax: (937) 383-7790 bela.clutter@dnr.state.oh.us |