Archive for the ‘Adopt-A-Stream’ Category
Abundant stoneflies found in the Huron and its creeks!
February 3rd, 2010 | 
Author: 
Noemi and Jenny find lively stoneflies under the ice in Fleming Creek on a cold, sunny day in January 2010.
The Huron River was crawling with volunteers and stoneflies on Saturday, January 31. 130 people searched for these small insects in the frozen streams despite the frigid January temperatures. HRWC volunteers split up in small teams and spread out to 48 sites in the Huron River Watershed, from White Lake to Flat Rock (near Lake Erie), in order to give the river system its annual check-up. The instruments for this kind of check-up included pickaxes to break through the ice and nets to scoop up the bugs. Many of the volunteers were surprised at “… the amount of life in a frozen stream.” More photos are here. Go here to read an account of the day.
Posted in Adopt-A-Stream, Events, Monitoring, Study Nature, water quality | 
Tags: Stonefly Search | 
1 Comment »
Join Us for the Stonefly Search!
Relaxing after the Stonefly Search
Monday is your last chance to sign up for the January 30 Stonefly Search !
Join a small team led by a Stonefly Hunter who goes in the river so you don’t have to. You will be amazed at the lively creatures living under the ice.
Help HRWC collect data for a long-term study of our watershed. Aquatic insects are sensitive to their surroundings and can tell us about problems in the river and its streams.
Reserve your place at http://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/stonefly/ by January 11. No prior experience needed.
This event lasts 5 hours, is FREE and the activities are suitable for all ages, from responsible children to seniors.
How cool were the fish this summer?
Jack Carter made weekly trips to the Huron River near Flat Rock Dam with his great-aunt, Lois, in order to make water temperature measurements.
What a cool summer we had this year! Fifty-four of our Adopt-a-Stream volunteers have the data to prove it. Every week, these volunteers visited their assigned stream sites to record the weekly minimum and maximum water temperatures.
These measurements were analyzed to produce an average minimum and maximum temperature for the entire summer for each site. Overall, the maximum temperatures at the 21 stream sites were 5 °F colder than they had been in previous summers.
Families found it fun and interesting to visit the stream once a week during July and August. “We had the best time checking the thermometers (often followed by Root Beer Floats). Jack wanted me to tell you that ‘the weather appears to have a dramatic effect on the depth of the water’. We were absolutely amazed at how it fluctuated.” – Lois J.
Next year’s study will be even more interesting as we continue to watch for changes in the temperature of the streams in the Huron River Watershed.
Give to Adopt and Upton will match it!
Measuring temperature
HRWC’s Adopt-A-Stream Program has collected monitoring data on the Huron River for seventeen years, and it ranks among the premier water-protection programs in the nation. With our volunteers, we produce a body of respected scientific data that is utilized by governments and citizens alike. This data motivates and convinces decision-makers to take the best actions to protect the watershed. Additionally, the volunteers become our strongest stewards leading their governments and neighbors in river stewardship. The direct outcomes of our Adopt-A-Stream program result in better habitat and cleaner water.
Thanks to the generous support of the Upton Foundation, we have a way for you to help and double your donation. The Upton Foundation is matching all gifts, dollar for dollar, given to support Adopt-A-Stream received before 12/31/2009. All contributions received through this special appeal will be dedicated to river monitoring and stewardship, which protect the future of our fresh water. Our goal is to raise $40,000 for Adopt-A-Stream and with your help, we can achieve this goal.
To make a gift today click here. Matched by the Upton Challenge Grant, you will help sustain one of the most effective river monitoring programs in the United States.
On behalf of the Huron River,
Laura Rubin, Executive Director and Joan Martin, Director Adopt-A-Stream
HRWC contributes creek data to City of Ann Arbor report
The City of Ann Arbor uses HRWC Adopt-A-Stream data for its “State of Our Environment Report.” An article in the Ann Arbor Chronicle highlights the work done by the City over the past several years to create this citizen’s reference tool. The report focuses on environmental issues and management strategies underway that are intended to conserve and protect our environment. In particular the City has developed a series of environmental indicators that gauge the quality of our air, water, resource use, climate, natural ecosystems, and many others. Most of the information for the City’s river and creek indicators come from data collected by HRWC Adopt-a-Stream volunteers and analyses done by HRWC staff.
Crack Team to Measure Flow
Volunteers prepare to practice flow measurements in November
HRWC trained an elite team of volunteers to measure stream flow on a lovely day in November. HRWC staff and eight volunteer trainers led 14 people through the steps of precise flow measurements in preparation for a study to commence with the early large storms next Spring.
This is the first step in measuring the change in runoff since numerous rain gardens and rain barrels were installed in the Millers Creek Watershed in the past 2 years. The gardens and barrels will hold the stormwater and help to reduce surging flows.
Adopt-a-Stream Presentation, Sunday Nov. 8, 4 pm
Adopt-a-Stream volunteers measure a cross section of the Huron River near Riverside Park, Ypsilanti
Join us at the NEW Center (1100 N.Main Street, Ann Arbor) as staff present the results and ramifications of the data collected by our volunteers this summer and fall. The temperature study, the Measuring and Mapping study, and the fall River Roundup will be discussed.
.
.