Project Watershed Central New York

Analytical Data
 
For the Project Watershed CNY/SOS chemical analysis, nine chemical water quality parameters are tested.  These parameters were adapted from the nine testing protocols outlined in the Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring (Mitchell and Stapp, 1997) in order to develop an overall Water Quality Index (WQI).  There are three exceptions.  Project Watershed CNY/SOS tests for reactive instead of total phosphorus, total dissolved solids rather than total solids, and chloride levels in place of monitoring temperature change.  For the program’s biological assessment, pollution tolerance values assigned to macroinvertebrates are taken from the protocols developed and used by the Izaak Walton League of America Save Our Streams Program.  All volunteers follow methodologies documented in the “Quality Survey Instructions” from the Save Our Streams Monitor’s Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (Kellogg, 1994). 
 
Geographical Information/Mapping
 
USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps is used to verify landscape features, watershed boundaries, and stream systems.  The program utilizes a Garmin GPS 12 Receiver to determine the location of the stream sites.  The location is recorded in latitude/longitude or UTM coordinates so the site can be located on USGS maps.  Additionally, Project Watershed CNY/SOS uses land use, stream system, and historical information complied by the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District, Council on Environmental Health, and other local planning agencies.