Project Watershed Central New York

Physical

Physical assessments (general stream characteristics of a stream) are conducted using protocols adapted from the Izaak Walton League of America Save Our Streams Program.  Stream flow measurements are conducted using procedures derived from the Syracuse Water Department.

Chemical

Chemical parameters monitored by Project Watershed CNY/SOS were chosen based on the tests documented in the Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring: An Environmental Education Program for Schools (Mitchell and Stapp, 1997).  Q-values and Water Quality Index (WQI) values are determined using procedures outlined in this text.  Project Watershed CNY/SOS follows the analytical testing procedures outlined in the Hach Company DREL/2000 Portable Water Quality Laboratory and Bacteriological M/F Lab manuals.  The Hach DREL/2000 unit includes a DR/2000 Spectrophotometer, Digital Titrator, pH meter, Turbidimeter, Conductivity Pocket Pal, glassware, and all reagents and apparatus needed for testing 21 chemical water quality parameters.  Testing for fecal coliform is conducted with the Hach Bacteriological M/F Lab. 

Biological

Biological assessments are conducted using methods outlined by the Izaak Walton League of America Save Our Streams Program’s Monitor’s Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (Kellogg, 1994). 

**Please refer to the Project Watershed CNY/SOS Study Design: SOPs for a complete set of project procedures.