Stream Monitoring
In every state, streams are monitored for bacteria, metals, aquatic life, and sedimentation. Each of those factors indicate the overall health of the stream. Knowing the current state of our streams is important in order to plan for restoration.
Streams that do not meet water quality standards are placed on an impaired streams list called a 303(d) list. Once a stream is listed as impaired, it is required to have a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) developed.
The TMDL indicates how much of a pollutant a stream can receive while still remaining healthy. The TMDL varies depending on the size and location of the stream. Check out the TMDLs for the Tug River Watershed in West Virginia and Kentucky !
Stay tuned for upcoming Stream Monitoring Trainings!
April 9, 2022 - Panther State Forest, McDowell County, WV:
West Virginia DEP's Save Our Streams and Kentucky Division of Water's Big Sandy Watershed Watch joined forces for a historic first joint training seminar for Friends of the Tug Fork River volunteers.
Our volunteers learned water sampling techniques, water chemistry, and macro-invertebrate collection and identification.