Water Quality Monitoring

Since 1996, the Initiative has been monitoring the quality of the water in the St. Joseph River and its tributaries through weekly grab sampling at locations across the watershed during the recreational season, April through October.

Water sampling measurements are done in the field with a Hydrolab sonde. We measure water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductance, pH, and turbidity. The air temperature and cloud cover are also recorded. We do not measure stream flow, but we do take a measurement of the water level from the bridge, which gives us a general idea of stream depth above or below the average at each site.

In addition to field measurements, samples are collected from each site and taken to the certified laboratory of the Fort Wayne Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant, where they are analyzed for the pesticides atrazine, alachlor, cyanazine and metolochlor. A second set of samples are analyzed for total coliform, E. coli and heterotrophic plate count (HPC).

Samples from six pre-determined locations are delivered to the EPA-certified laboratory of the Fort Wayne Wastewater Treatment Plant, where they are analyzed for nitrogen (ammonium) and phosphorus.

Water quality monitoring database
An electronic database of the water quality monitoring results is maintained by the Initiative at its offices. The database dates back to 1996 when we first began our water monitoring activities. Information from the database is available from the Initiative by request (260-484-5848 x 120).

The Initiative is currently working with the support of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Computer Science Department of IPFW to create an online database of water quality in the St. Joseph that will be available from your internet desktop. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.

Annual water quality reports for the St. Joseph River watershed, based on the Initiative’s water quality monitoring information, are available in PDF format.

• Water Quality Reports

Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program
In 2004, the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative began an effort in water quality monitoring geared to watershed citizens. The goal of the Hoosier Riverwatch program is to train volunteers to evaluate small stream segments with habitat assessment, chemical and biological monitoring. The information gathered by the volunteers can be entered into the Hoosier Riverwatch database, which is available to the public though the Hoosier Riverwatch web site.

Habitat assessment includes stream channel, riparian zone, substrate, fish cover, depth and velocity, and riffles and runs. An evaluation known as the Citizens Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (CQHEI) can be completed through the Hoosier Riverwatch monitoring method. Chemical monitoring includes pH, dissolved oxygen, total oxygen demand (BOD5), water temperature and temperature change, orthophosphate, nitrates, E. coli, and turbidity. Biological monitoring includes benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and analysis. This monitoring helps to identify the general health of the particular stream segment monitored.

If you are interested in being trained to monitor streams or tributaries to the St. Joseph River, contact the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative at (260) 484-5848 x3 to sign up for a training class. Training classes are held 2-3 times over the summer.