Adopt-a-stream, Vol. 14, no. 3 (May/June 2007)

GEORGIA
Adopt-A-Stream
Volume 14, Number 3, May / June 2007 Allison Hughes, Editor

Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division

We all want a nice place to live a good habitat. For benthic macroinvertebrates, that means a diversity of materials on stream bottoms that provide a stable refuge from flowing water. One way to characterize stream bottoms is by using the AAS Wentworth Pebble Count protocol. Counting and measuring particles on stream beds may not seem as exciting as catching bugs, but at least it gets you out in the creek. More importantly, data from the pebble count may be used to gauge the quality of instream habitat and serve as a yardstick to measure changes in substrate over time.

In rocky bottom streams, a variety of substrate is favored (including all particle sizes; silt/clay, sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, and bedrock) with an emphasis on greater numbers of the larger, more stable particles. In the low gradient muddy bottom streams of South Georgia, much of the available stable habitat comes from large woody debris that falls into the stream. In fact, the stream bottom may consist entirely of smaller sized particles.

A number of studies indicate strong relationships between the diversity and size of substrate materials and biological health of streams. Even if water quality parameters (e.g. pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, etc...) are within normal ranges, biological health suffers from deficiencies in the physical habitat available for colonization.

One recent study in the Soque River watershed in Habersham County indicated that streams with larger sized substrates (particularly cobble) had greater diversity and abundance of stream dwellers that are sensitive to pollution. In addition, the amount of silt/clay in these streams was very strongly correlated with increasing urbanization. As land cover changes from forest and agriculture to development, it becomes increasingly important to document subsequent alterations to stream habitat and water quality.

Please take advantage of the AAS pebble count protocol and start counting those pebbles during your next monitoring session. The method is quick and simple, yet it provides valuable information about changes in habitat quality over time that directly influences the numbers and kinds of critters that live in our streams.

More information about the AAS Wentworth Pebble Count protocol can be found in the Adopt-A-Stream Visual Stream Manual or by attending an introduction workshop.
Article written by Duncan Hughes, Watershed Coordinator, Soque River Watershed Partnership

Stream bottoms with an increased amount of silt and clay can be seen as you move down the diagram.

Watershed-wide monitoring events allow volunteer

activities on 12 sites based partly on the results of the

monitoring groups to take a `snap-shot' of the health

River Rendezvous.

of an entire watershed. During such events, volunteers set out to sample many locations within a single watershed in order to gain information about the watershed as a whole. The Adopt-A-Stream program has assisted the Broad River Watershed Association (BRWA), the Upper Oconee Watershed Network (UOWN) and the Cobb County Sierra Club (CCSC) with watershed-wide monitoring events.

This year the Cobb County Sierra Club wanted to expand their monthly data collection, so they designed their first annual watershed-wide monitoring event. CCSC has partnered with Cobb
County Water System to perform advanced water quality testing in the Cobb County Water Quality Lab. Cobb County Water System and CCSG are using this event to gather

extensive water quality

During the Broad River event, 17 local certified AAS volunteers set out to collect conductivity read-

data within the Rottenwood Creek watershed. On-site monitoring consisted of the core para-

ings at over 100 sites

meters recommended by

within the South Fork of

Adopt-A-Stream (pH, DO,

the Broad River. These

and temperature). Lab

readings allow BRWA to evaluate the condition of

Broad River Watershed Association Volunteers are geared up and ready to head to the river

testing included a metal scan, chemical oxygen

the water within the sub-

demand,

nutrients,

watersheds. Each quarter they plan to sample a

conductivity, e.coli, fecal coliform, and many others.

different sub-watershed until they have completely

Overall, volunteers visited 30 sites in order to gain a

assessed the entire Broad River Basin.

better understanding of the health of Rottenwood

Creek.

In April, we joined UOWN for their annual River Rendezvous, which celebrated its 10th year of continuous monitoring. The theme of this event was

These monitoring events provided the groups with much needed data about the health of their watershed.

"The Day in the Life of a Watershed", and hundreds of volunteers set out to collect samples that were tested for turbidity, conductivity, nutrients, and bacteria. UOWN also holds quarterly monitoring

Adopt-A-Stream is willing to lend support in planning an event for your monitoring group. If you would like more information about watershed-wide monitoring, please contact the State Office.

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As you visit your site during your next monitoring event, remember to keep safety at the top of your priority list. Your safety and health is very important to us. There are several key things to keep in mind when you are monitoring your adopted stream, river, lake or wetland. During the rain events, stream levels can rise rapidly and bacteria levels tend to increase. During the summer season poison ivy is rapidly growing, and snakes and bees are out enjoying the warm temperatures, so be conscious of your surroundings. We urge volunteers to avoid monitoring during high flows, thoroughly wash your hands after monitoring and always work in pairs. We also recommend that you develop an emergency plan for your monitoring site. If you follow these guidelines and the Health and Safety Checklist on page 9 of your Biological and Chemical Monitoring Manual, you will have a fun, enjoyable and safe experience.

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Workshops are taught by certified AAS instructors and provide stream monitoring training. Teachers may receive 1 PLU credit for participating. Please visit the AAS website under the Teacher Corner heading for more details. Please call to register.

What
May Biological Intro/Visual June Chemical Intro Chemical Chemical Intro/Chem/Bio Intro/Chem Chemical Chemical Chemical Intro/Visual July Chem/Bio Chemical Biological Chemical Biological August Chemical Chemical Biological

Who
Savannah Riverkeeper Upper Etowah River Alliance
Upper Etowah River Alliance Columbia County AAS UGA Marine Extension Service UGA Marine Extension Service Elachee Nature Center Hall Co. Paulding County Cherokee County AAS Clayton County AAS UGA Marine Extension Service Cherokee County AAS
UGA Marine Extension Service Columbia County AAS Clayton County AAS Cherokee County AAS Cherokee County AAS
UGA Marine Extension Service UGA Marine Extension Service UGA Marine Extension Service

When
May 26 May 26
June 2 June 2 June 7 June 9 June 15-16 June 15 June 16 June 23 June 23 June 30
July 7 July 7 July 14 July 14 July 28
August 9 August 18 August 23

Where

To Register

Augusta

706.364.5253

Cherokee County 678.493.7804

Cherokee County Columbia County Savannah Richmond Hill Gainesville Paulding County Cherokee County Clayton County Brunswick Cherokee County

678.493.7804 706.868.0296 912.598.2348 912.598.2348 770.535.1976 404.675.1635 770.548.1799 678.422.2838 912.598.2348 770.355.6477

Savannah Columbia County Clayton County Cherokee County Cherokee County

912.598.2348 706.868.0296 678.422.2838 770.355.6477 770.355.6477

Savannah Brunswick Savannah

912.598.2348 912.598.2348 912.598.2348

NOTE: Workshop times vary. Please call to get exact times and locations. Additional workshops are added weekly on our website at www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org. If you would like to host a workshop in your area, please contact your local coordinator or the State Office.
QA/QC Recertification: All QA/QC volunteers must renew certification on a yearly basis. This can be accomplished by participating in the second half of our regular chemical or biological workshop.

Answer on back page

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Last year 25,000 volunteers collected over 700,000 pounds of garbage from over 2,400 miles of waterways. Please
consider organizing a Rivers Alive cleanup event in 2007. To register your
event, check out the Rivers Alive website at www.riversalive.com
Registration deadline is July 30th.

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Earn PLU credits while learning about drinking water, wastewater, and surface water through field trips and handson activities. Please visit www.gawp.org or email Sharon Smith at sharon.smith@fultoncountyga.gov for more information.

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This summer, join fellow paddling enthusiasts for the Third Annual Paddle Georgia Adventure, a weeklong, 115mile canoe/kayak adventure on the Ocmulgee River from Monticello to Hawkinsville and experience Georgia as you never have before.

Adopt-A-Stream and Project WET are partnering with GRN to provide teacher workshops during the trip. Through this workshop, teachers will receive training in Chemical Monitoring and Project WET. Please visit www.garivers.com for more information regarding the Teacher Scholarships.

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Please join Adopt-A-Stream & Project WET at Red Top Mountain State Park as we host a joint workshop that will allow participants to become Healthy Water, Healthy People Facilitators as well as Adopt-A-Stream Trainers. For more information, call Allison Hughes @ 404.675.1635 or Petey Giroux @ 404.675.1638

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The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Newsletter is published six times per year. For more information about the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program or to contribute to the newsletter, call or write to:
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Environmental Protection Division 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354 (404) 675-1635 www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org

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