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Stream Monitoring — Visual Assessment Program

Volunteering to Conduct Visual Assessments of Stream Reaches in the Great Swamp Watershed

If you are interested in joining this program as a volunteer, please contact Kelley Curran at 973-538-3500 x16 (e-mail kcurran@greatswamp.org).

Purpose: The main purpose is to gather data on waterbodies that are currently not assessed by the NJDEP. This important data can be used in several ways:

  1. To provide information to municipalities (local level)
  2. To identify or follow-up on areas in need of attention (watershed level)
  3. To identify impaired waterways or provide baseline information (State level)

Requirements:

  1. Attend training session with Americorps member or GSWA Project Director
  2. Conduct visual assessment of assigned stream reach in the Great Swamp Watershed two times per calendar year using NJDEP Visual Assessment protocol. One assessment to be conducted in May/June and one to be conducted in Nov/Dec on each reach. One-year minimum commitment.
  3. GSWA will provide:
    1. One pair of boots
    2. Visual assessment data forms and instructions for completion of forms
    3. 100-foot measuring tape
    4. Clipboard
    5. Maps and/or directions to assessment site
    6. Digital camera (if do not have own)
    7. GSWA volunteer monitoring sign(s) for car
  4. Volunteer will provide:
    1. Pen/pencil
    2. Any other necessary clothing
    3. Water/snack

Procedures:

  1. Coordinate with GSWA Project Director to attend training session
  2. Coordinate with GSWA Project Director to pick up equipment listed in #2 above
  3. Complete visual assessment data sheets and return to GSWA Project Director for QA/QC
  4. GSWA Project Director will submit original data sheets to the NJDEP and keep one copy on file at the GSWA office

Other:

  • All assessments must be conducted by at least two people for safety purposes
  • Time to complete training session is approximately 3 hours (includes inside training and outdoor field work)
  • Time to complete one assessment is estimated to be 2-3 hours (includes driving time from GSWA office to and from site)

 

More...

NJDEP Visual Assessment Protocol (pdf)
NJDEP Instructions for Completing Visual Assessment Data Sheets (pdf)