Water Quality & Stream Flow
Water quality was routinely taken at several locations across our area using a handheld YSI meter. This device measures water temperature, barometric pressure, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and pH. Additionally, several temperature loggers were deployed; these devices were set to measure water temperature every two hours. If you want to learn more about these parameters and see past data, visit Atlantic DataStream.
NEW: 2025 “Water Rangers”
In the summer of 2025, BAWG and volunteers began using the Water Rangers educational testing kits to collect water quality data. We are in the early stages and if you are interested in joining in on this activity, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our sampling takes place on the last weekend of the month.
Headwater Surveys
Headwater surveys were conducted on the four central river systems in the watersheds (Pinette River, Belle River, Flat River, and Little Sands Shore). The first set of surveys occur in the spring to monitor high water flows, and the second set in the fall to monitor low water flows. These surveys will help determine the extent of some of our first-order streams and their headwaters. They will also monitor the variability in the river’s seasonal flows yearly.
Macroinvertebrate Sampling
To collect the macroinvertebrates, we placed our kick-net into the water while holding it perpendicular to the river’s flow, then another person kicked up the substrate upstream. Benthic macroinvertebrates live on and around small rocks and vegetation within the river, so stirring up the substrate dislodges them into the net. Once a sample is collected, each macroinvertebrate is identified by its family name. Afterward, results are compiled into a spreadsheet to determine each location’s Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI). The HBI is a water quality index that can help assess stream health within the sample area. Benthic macroinvertebrates are important bioindicators, meaning they can help tell us about how healthy a stream is.