Stream Watch

Do you have a stream on your property?
Or know of a stream in the Severn Sound watershed that is publicly accessible?
Want to learn more about water quality and conditions in that stream?
Become a Stream Watch volunteer!

A revamped version of our Community Environmental Monitoring program, Stream Watch involves collecting water quality data and making general observations about streams within the Severn Sound watershed. Streams and their associated floodplains are very important; they flow into inland lakes and Severn Sound/Georgian Bay, play an important role in flood control, and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including fish species. The more we understand the streams in our area, the better we can protect them for future generations.

Map of the subwatersheds within the Severn Sound watershed, indicating the major streams and rivers in the area.

Typical observations and data collected through the Stream Watch program include:

Air and water temperature
Weather, stream depth, and flow conditions
Water clarity and colour
Conductivity and pH
Observations of algae
Water level impacts
Plastic pollution
Plant and wildlife sightings, including invasive species and species at risk
Human disturbances
Photos of any observations

These observations can be made from the streambank, off a dock, or from a bridge depending on what you have available to you. You do not have to have a stream on your property to participate – observations can be made on publicly accessible streams, such as from bridge road crossings. You can make observations as often as once a day to a minimum of every 2 weeks. By completing observations and sending data to the SSEA you are contributing to protecting the Severn Sound watershed.

Equipment in Stream Watch Kit

The SSEA will provide training for all volunteers on how to collect water quality data and environmental observations. Each volunteer will also receive a citizen science kit with the equipment needed to participate in the program.

Depending on your site and what you already have, this equipment could include:

Pool thermometer or water quality meter
Temperature data logger and housing
Rain gauge
Metre stick
Monocular

The objectives of this program include:

increasing community engagement and knowledge of local environmental issues
increasing SSEA’s capacity to observe environmental conditions across the watershed
collecting sightings of invasive species and species at risk
identifying areas in need of clean-ups or habitat restoration
tracking indicators of climate change, such as water temperature and flooding
determining thermal classification of streams, which provides rationale for protection of cool and cold-water fish habitats

Downloading a temperature logger

If you are interested in the Shore Watch program, contact our Citizen Science Program Coordinator with your name, phone number and/or email address, and location of shoreline you intend to “watch.”