HRWC runs several scientific programs designed to gauge the health of the land and water throughout the watershed. In addition to these programs, stream flow studies, water quality monitoring and other river research is conducted as part of watershed management plan development and project implementation.

Programs

Adopt-a-Stream:  Adopt-A-Stream is a long term river and creek  monitoring program in which volunteers of all sorts work together to help our researchers collect river creatures, identify those river creatures, take water samples, and assess stream habitat.

Bioreserve: The Bioreserve Project assesses and protects the remaining natural areas in the watershed.  Volunteers collect data during field studies of private and public properties; HRWC uses the data to work with local communities, conservancies, and natural area property landowners to protect and restore natural areas.

Failing Septics Identification: HRWC and a team of researchers and public health managers are pursuing an innovative approach to detect failed septic systems that may reduce pollutants entering the Huron River and yield a cost-effective approach for county health departments to monitor and rectify problem septic systems.

Michigan Clean Water Corps: MiCorps is a statewide program administered by HRWC and several partners.   Through MiCorps, HRWC trains and assists individuals and organizations in taking scientific measurements of streams and lakes using standardized methods.

Millers Creek Rainwater Project: HRWC worked with neighborhood residents in northeast Ann Arbor in implementing low-impact development techniques, such as rain gardens and rain barrels, in order to stabilize a flashy urban stream.

Water Quality Monitoring: This program is conducted for the partners in the Middle Huron Initiative (MHI) and Livingston Watershed Advisory Group (WAG).  Volunteers collect water samples and take flow measurements in order to determine phosphorus concentrations and loads.