SOUTH BRANCH WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Event Highlights

2009 Volunteer Biological Monitoring:
- Training Workshop
- Conference

South Branch Watershed Association held their 16th Annual River Monitoring Workshop on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Echo Hill Park in Clinton Township. The workshop is designed to train new volunteers who are interested in monitoring the health of the river and to provide a refresher course for the Association’s current river monitors.

The river monitoring program relies on volunteers to sample the South Branch of the Raritan River and its tributaries at 20 sites throughout the watershed every year during the last two full weeks in June. Through the program, citizens have the opportunity to take part in a scientific study to assess the condition of the natural resources in their community and the greater South Branch Raritan River watershed.

Nineteen people participated in the workshop and received “hands-on” training from environmental scientists on sampling protocols and other techniques used to gather information and assess impacts to the river. Trainers helped guide participants through a visual survey of a river site and through collection and identification of benthic macroinvertebrates. These organisms are the “critters” that live in the river, and include aquatic insects, worms and clams. The word benthic refers to the fact that these organisms live on, or near, the river bottom. The term macroinvertebrate indicates that these organisms lack a spine and can be identified without the use of a magnifying lens. Macroinvertebrates are excellent indicators of water quality. Many of these critters are very sensitive to pollution. Others are more tolerant. The numbers and ratios of organisms in a collected sample are used to determine the condition of the river. Trends in river conditions are revealed when current samples are compared to data from prior years.

Data collected through our program augments data collected by the state and other entities and is used to identify existing and potential sources of pollution in the watershed. The data also assists state and local organizations in making informed decisions regarding the preservation of our water resources. A comprehensive report on trends in the water quality of the South Branch Raritan River watershed, based on our data, is underway by an EPA contractor, with completion expected around December of this year.

Event Photos

Volunteer stream monitors learn how to conduct a visual site survey.

Volunteer stream monitors learn how to identify stream critters they collected.

Volunteer stream monitors learn how to properly collect a sample of stream critters using a kick net.

On Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Echo Hill Environmental Education Area, the South Branch Watershed Association (SBWA) presented the results of their 2009 river monitoring season at their 16th annual Volunteer Biological Monitoring Conference. This was the 16th year of collecting biological data at 20 sites along the South Branch of the Raritan River and its tributaries. Two of those sites were new this year – High Bridge and Mulhockaway Creek!

Nicole Rahman, Program Director for the SBWA, along with two SBWA Volunteer Monitors, Alan Rennie from Califon Borough and Lisa Rodriguez from Glen Gardner Borough, presented this year’s monitoring results and water quality trends seen over time. Bill Honachefsky, Section Chief, NJ DEP Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring, spoke about “Stressor Identification - Putting the Pieces Together.” Honachefsky explained that there are many stressors, such as polluted runoff from parking lots and construction sites, in the South Branch of the Raritan River watershed that can impair water quality. He then discussed ways to prevent or reduce these stressors, which would help to improve water quality.

Nicole explained that every June trained volunteers collect a macroinvertebrate, or “bug” sample at their assigned sites along the river. They follow specific protocols to maintain accuracy and precision in the data collection. “This bug sample is analyzed at a certified lab. The species of bugs present tells us whether the river is healthy or not. Certain bugs can live in polluted water, but others cannot. If you find a large number and variety types of bugs that need clean water to survive, you know you have a healthy river,” Rahman said.

Of the 20 sites monitored this year, 18 were non-impaired, 2 were moderately impaired, and none were severely impaired. Rahman said, “This is a definite improvement over last year’s results of 10 non-impaired and 8 moderately impaired. However, many of the non-impaired sites this year were on the low end of the range, so we need to keep an eye on these sites to see if they remain non-impaired next year, or trend downward in terms of water quality. With 16 years of data collected so far, it will be interesting to follow any trends in water quality that may be present.”

Kibler said, “Thanks to all of the volunteers, monitoring advisory committee members, spring workshop trainers, and sponsors. These dedicated people make the monitoring program possible.”

Event Photos

Attendees at SBWA’s 16th annual Volunteer Biological Monitoring Conference.

Bill Honachefsky presenting on water quality stressors in the South Branch of the Raritan River.