Adopt-a-stream, Vol. 9, no. 5 (Sept./Oct. 2002)

GEORGIA
Adopt-A-Stream

Volume 9, Number 5, September/October 2002 Harold Harbert and Kim Morris-Zarneke, Editors

Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division

South Georgia Programs get New Monitoring Equipment

The Thronateeska Guardians have never lacked initiative. When they became a group in November of 2001, they didn't let a simple matter such as lack of equipment get in their way instead borrowed what they needed from local supporters. However, when a new grant for monitoring equipment became available, the Thronateeska Guardians did not waste any time and became the first program in the state to apply for and receive their very own Adopt-AStream monitoring test kit.

The new kit was put together by Georgia Adopt-

A-Stream and includes equipment for visual,

The Thronateeska Guardians, named after the Native American word for the Flint River, gather outside Bainbridge on the lower Flint for a monitoring session.

chemical and biological monitoring. Eric Prowell, a summer intern from Emory University, undertook the challenge of creating the new test kits. In addition to covering the

four basic parameters temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and settleable solids the test kits include

advance tests covering phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, conductivity and alkalinity. The new tests and the

added accuracy and precision of the equipment should translate into higher quality data.

As for the Thronateeska Guardians, they're happy to have more freedom to monitor local streams. Born out of local concern with the water quality, their program has received key support through Adopt-AStream training thanks to Keep Bainbridge Decatur County Beautiful, Rebecca Winn of International Paper, Donna McGlincy of GYWSTC, and Steve Golladay of the Jones Ecological Research Center. "During that class, we learned how to use both the chemical and biological testing equipment and how to read topographical maps," says Sherida Black. "We also learned about some of the wildlife in our watershed. Our teachers were instrumental in helping the group set up our Adopt-A-Stream team, the first in southwest Georgia. We still feel inexperienced but with each monthly monitoring session we are becoming a little more knowledgeable and confident. We are all truly learning by doing."

To apply for Stream Monitoring Equipment go to www.riversalive.org/aas.htm and click on Application for Free Monitoring Equipment in Southern Georgia or call 404-675-1639. All monitoring
equipment is paid for through an Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia grant received from
International Paper.

On The Web, In The River

Real-time predictions of bacteria levels in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area are now available on the web at http://ga2.er.usgs.gov/bacteria/. And the news is pretty good--data collected over the past 18 months shows that the River between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek is cleaner than most people think!
Electronic and satellite technologies help estimate bacteria levels using a "real-time" measure of lightabsorbing particles in the river (turbidity), as an indicator of the amount of E. coli bacteria. The E. coli prediction is then calculated based on the relation between turbidity and E. coli that exists from nearly 1,200 samples collected for this BacteriALERT program over the past year and a half. Since October 2000, 87 percent of the samples collected at the Medlock Bridge Unit (Norcross) and 72 percent of the samples collected at the Palisades Unit (Vinings) of the Park had E. coli bacteria counts below the federal public health standard (235 bacteria colonies per 100 milliliters).
For those who'd like to just take a look at the River to determine whether or not they want to fish, boat, or swim, there's a common sense approach that can be

deduced from the water quality monitoring data. It's as simple as this: If the River is muddy, don't go swimming. It's after storm events that the runoff from urbanized areas, cracked sewer lines and other sources contribute the highest levels of bacteria to the River.
A very successful government/nonprofit partnership is responsible for this model program. Federal agencies involved include the U.S. Geological Survey led by District Chief Ed Martin, National Park Service led by Superintendent Kevin Cheri, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and nonprofits Riverkeeper, The Georgia Conservancy and Trust for Public Land.
Future partnership collaboration will involve a symposium to be held on Friday, October 18, to explain the BacteriALERT program and how to recreate in our urban river, safely and responsibly. Contact Birgit Bolton for details on this event at bbolton@ucriverkeeper.org or 404-352-9828 ext. 24.
Submitted by Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Sally Bethea

Clayton County Water Authority Trains Sewer Maintenance Staff
The entire Maintenance and Construction Department at Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) took a day off from fixing broken sewer lines and responding to sewer spills for a Stream Awareness Training Day. Following the Adopt-A-Stream protocol, CCWA created a one-day training class to increase staff awareness of stream habitats. The training class covered visual, chemical, and biological assessments of stream water quality. This department often works in or around streams to repair sewer pipelines and respond to spills. This training will make staff more aware of the sensitive habitats near streams and help them identify and report problems in local waterbodies. Everyone had a great time with the training class and it strengthened the interdepartmental teamwork. Contact Kim Zimmerman of Clayton County Adopt-A-Stream Program 678-422-2838.

Adopt-A-Stream Update: In the past year we have certified 104 trainers and
878 QA/QC volunteers, and registered 99 new monitoring groups!

Adopt-A-Stream Calendar of Events
The following workshops, taught by certified AAS trainers, provide training in visual, biological and chemical monitoring of streams. Teachers may receive 0.5 SDU credits for participation in workshops. Please call to register.

What
Getting Started w/AAS Chemical Chemical & Biological Chemical Getting Started & Chem. Biological Getting Started w/AAS Biological Biological Getting Started w/AAS Chemical

Who
Georgia Wildlife Federation Cobb County Adopt-A-Stream Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Georgia Wildlife Federation Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Clayton County Water Authority Georgia Wildlife Federation Cobb County Adopt-A-Stream Upper Etowah Adopt-A-Stream Upper Etowah Adopt-A-Stream

When
Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 14 Sept. 14 Sept. 24 Sept. 28 Sept. 28 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26

Where
Covington Cobb County Jefferson County Covington Rome Smithgall Woods Wetlands Center Covington Cobb County Canton Canton

To Register
770-787-7887 770-528-1482 404-675-1639 770-787-7887 404-675-1639 404-352-9828 x17 678-422-2838 770-787-7887 770-528-1482 770-894-2369 770-894-2369

NOTE: Workshop times vary. Please call to get exact times and locations. Workshop information is updated weekly on our website at www.riversalive.org/aas.htm

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. To register, please contact one of our scheduled workshops.

Connecting Communities and Classrooms
EEA Annual Conference, March 21-23, Savannah, Georgia
SHARING IS GROWING!
hands-on sessions - sharing sessions - presentation workshops panels - field trips - keynote speakers - awards ceremony
Call for Presentations all proposals, found at www.eealliance.org, must be postmarked by October 21, 2002

Rivers Alive
Get involved! Go to www.riversalive.org to participate in a cleanup near you

30th Anniversary Of The National Clean Water Act
Make sure your monitoring group participates test the water quality of your local stream on October 18th. For more information go to www.yearofcleanwater.org

The Third Annual Peachtree/Nancy Creek "River Rendezvous" is coming to Oglethorpe University
On Saturday November 9th, the Peachtree/Nancy Creek Technical Advisory Council (PNTAC), Oglethorpe University and Georgia AdoptA-Stream play host to the third annual "River Rendezvous." If you live in northeast Atlanta inside the perimeter, it is very likely that you live in the Peachtree Creek/Nancy Creek watershed. You are invited to join individuals and local watershed protection organizations in a one-day, watershed-wide monitoring event. The "River Rendezvous" is a great opportunity to become involved with the care and protection of the water resources in your own back yard. Learn the techniques of water quality sampling, meet the residents of your community involved in local water quality issues and help make a difference for your community. Activities will be based at Oglethorpe University (4484 Peachtree Rd. NE in Brookhaven) and will run from 9:00am to approximately 2:00pm. Interested individuals with **any** level of know-how and in any level of participation are invited to contact the Co-Chair of the event, Charlie Baube, at 404-364-8404 (x8404) for more information.
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) 675-1639 or 1636 www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
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