WDNR Citizen Based Stream Monitoring Pilot

Project: (VERY) Preliminary Results

Wisconsin Citizen Based Monitoring Conference,

October 5, 2006

Ellison Bay, WI

The Issue

Can Citizen Stream Monitors collect data of sufficient quality to be used by WDNR and other agencies for management decisions?

CBM Pilot Project 2006• Groups to gather data using WDNR protocols

(Level 2 – Baseline Wadeable Streams)• 2006 pilot has 15 groups, 42 teams, 112

volunteers• ~180 sites Monitored

•Dissolved oxygen – meter

•pH – meter

•Water temp: meter (during sampling)

•Water temp: thermistor (data logger)

•Turbidity: 120 cm transparency tube

•Volunteers encouraged to continue to sample other parameters using WAV, et. al., protocols

CBM Pilot Project Sampling Parameters

CBM Pilot Project

Preliminary Results

General Results

• Picked 15 groups out of >40 candidate groups

• 112 volunteers in 42 monitoring teams

• Orientation, training/certification of all volunteers

• >50% of teams were “re-certified”

• Side-by-side monitoring was done where possible

General Results

• Can Volunteers Collect Quality Data?– ABSOLUTELY!

General Results• Overall, volunteers were very successful!• Minor Performance Issues:

– Timely submission of data – Adherence to primary sample schedule (mostly weather)– pH meter calibration– Thermistor logs and recovery– “Green” volunteers req’d far more attention

• Re-certification:– Transparency Tube– pH Meter

• SWIMS Rollout Late– Volunteers couldn’t enter data– Data still being entered; no monitoring results available

Dissolved Oxygen• Large proportion (~30%) side-by-side YSI 550A readings outside acceptable error

range• Temperature readings EXTREMELY consistent

pH

• All side-by-side readings within error range• Calibration confused some volunteers

H2O Temp-Thermistors

• >80 issued by CBSM Pilot or purchased by groups

• At least four have been lost (theft/washouts/etc.)– Within acceptable range

• Timing of removal/download an issue (late in Sept.)

• Record Keeping (thermistor log maintenance/submission) a problem

Transparency Tubes

• Most Subjective of parameters

• Difference in tube manufacture Most streams had high transparency

• (>120 cm)

• Highest error rate in re-certification– Reading in direct sunlight

Future of CBSM Pilot

• WILL continue in 2007• Coordinator will be LTE: 50% WDNR and 50% RAW• Will recommend adding 1 more group per region • Will recommend adding macroinvertebrates to parameters• Issues:

– Manpower (coordinator and liaisons)

– $$$$

– Controlling expectations of volunteers

Questions?