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Each week during the warmer months, and every other week during the late fall and winter, the South Riverkeeper collects a battery of water quality data from 16 different sites around the River. The data collected includes: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen by depth, salinity, water clarity, and nitrate. In addition, we have a trained corps of Riverwatchers, trained volunteers who collect regular data on non-tidal sections of the River and report it back to the Riverkeeper. 2009 Overall Water Quality Data: What does this mean?Water clarity is a good general measure of water quality. When visibility is regularly less than 1 meter, as it was throughout the river in 2009, that means that the suspended sediment and algae levels, which are driven by nutrient pollution, were so high that sunlight cannot penetrate deeply enough into the water to allow underwater grasses to get established or survive. Past Water Quality Sampling Results:Become a South Riverwatcher:We are looking for volunteers to help sample sites around the watershed that complement the locations that the Riverkeeper regularly samples. Often times, these are non-tidal tributaries or areas that are difficult to access by boat. Training and sampling kits are provided by the Federation. If you would like to assist with this effort, please contact the South Riverkeeper at 410-224-3802.
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