Winooski Headwaters Water Quality Monitoring
Volunteer water quality monitoring plays an important role in educating the public about water quality issues and promoting stewardship of water resources. Volunteer monitoring can go beyond education to identify specific problems, measure progress toward water quality improvements and shape public policy. Data collected by volunteers may be used by local and state government for decision-making and enforcement. In early 2007, the Cabot Conservation Committee and the Marshfield and Plainfield Conservation Commissions joined together to initiate a pilot water quality study in their towns. The study area is the Winooski River mainstem and the tributaries in the three towns. Although there is some water quality data available for selected locations within the study area, more information is needed
- to document water quality conditions for aquatic life support including an important locality for the State threatened eastern pearlshell mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera Linn.);
- to support the State of Vermont's Winooski River Basin Planning Initiative;
- to provide baseline data to assess long-term changes to water quality in the river system; and
- to address public concerns about the risk of contact recreation associated with potential contaminants in the waters.
Flow metering. Photo by George Springston
For five months (June through October), ten water quality parameters were monitored at twelve sites in the study area. Six of the monitoring sites are on the mainstem and the rest are located near the mouth of tributarties. Five of the sites area co-located with existing Department of Environmental Conservation biomonitoring sites. In addition, seven sites were sampled for E. coli bacteria on a bi-weekly basis from June through early September. These sites were selected based on the likelihood of public contact (swimming holes, fishing spots, etc.). These sites overlap with some of the water quality sampling sites.
The State of Vermont Water Quality Division provides laboratory services for the water quality and bacteria tests. Results are available for all dates and parameters at the DEC website under the tab for Winooski Joint Cons Comms