Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers Citizen-Based Water Quality Monitoring in the Milwaukee River Basin

Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers Our mission is to protect water quality and wildlife habitat and advocate for sound land use in the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. Our mission is to protect water quality and wildlife habitat and advocate for sound land use in the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds.

We are the Milwaukee Riverkeeper® One of 157+ Keepers licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance, based in New York An independent watchdog for the river Responds to citizen concerns and complaints Finds solutions to environmental problems Eventual goal is to have a physical presence on the river, to do more pro-active monitoring, and expand citizen monitoring network

Protecting Water Quality

Protecting Recreational Uses

Water Trail Map

Protecting Wildlife Habitat

Advocating Sound Land Use

River Clean-ups

Illicit Discharge Detection

WATER QUALITY TESTING PROGRAMS

Goals of Monitoring Program: Establish a watershed-wide network of trained citizen volunteers monitoring streams, collecting information in a consistent and useable format Establish a watershed-wide network of trained citizen volunteers monitoring streams, collecting information in a consistent and useable format Training volunteers to recognize and respond appropriately to questionable practices (erosion violations, illicit discharges, etc.) Training volunteers to recognize and respond appropriately to questionable practices (erosion violations, illicit discharges, etc.) Improve the quantity and quality of data that can be used to monitor the health of our waters Improve the quantity and quality of data that can be used to monitor the health of our waters

Recruiting Volunteers Letters sent out to all past water quality monitoring volunteers Letters sent out to all past water quality monitoring volunteers Targetted high priority areas Targetted high priority areas Posters distributed to businesses, nature centers, etc. Posters distributed to businesses, nature centers, etc. s/listserves used heavily s/listserves used heavily Newsletter articles (FMR, Sierra, etc.) Newsletter articles (FMR, Sierra, etc.)

Water Quality Trainings May 6 th —trained 12 Level II advanced volunteers at UEC May 6 th —trained 12 Level II advanced volunteers at UEC June 3 rd —trained 13 Level I (WAV) volunteers at Havenwoods June 3 rd —trained 13 Level I (WAV) volunteers at Havenwoods June 10, trained 20 Level I volunteers at Riverside Park, West Bend June 10, trained 20 Level I volunteers at Riverside Park, West Bend Trained 45 volunteers total at three trainings!

WQ Parameters Monitored Level II volunteers- monitored pH, DO, turbidity, and temperature (using automated thermistors). Level II volunteers- monitored pH, DO, turbidity, and temperature (using automated thermistors). Level I volunteers measured DO, temperature, turbidity, flow, and macroinvertebrates Level I volunteers measured DO, temperature, turbidity, flow, and macroinvertebrates Volunteers monitor on at least a monthly basis. Volunteers monitor on at least a monthly basis. Data will be entered into either the DNR “SWIMS” or WAV databases Data will be entered into either the DNR “SWIMS” or WAV databases

Monitoring Sites in the Milwaukee River Basin Data was collected for 24 Level II sites by 12 volunteers; 20 thermistors deployed (2 lost) Data was collected for 24 Level II sites by 12 volunteers; 20 thermistors deployed (2 lost) Data collected for 24 Level I stream sites by our 33 WAV volunteers Data collected for 24 Level I stream sites by our 33 WAV volunteers

Preliminary Results two potential streams for coldwater trout introductions: Mole Creek and Riveredge Creek. Several volunteers’ data demonstrates negative effects of dams on water quality in Grafton (2 dams), Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee (Estabrook Dam), West Bend, and Thiensville (Seminary Dam). Some potential positive effects of restoration projects (e.g. North Ave dam removal, Trinity Creek project)

Citizen Enforcers?! Level I and II volunteers both identified problem areas/places of concern in the Basin (e.g. algal outbreaks, poor erosion controls, cows in the stream, etc.), and FMR staff have tried to address these concerns and/or refer to DNR staff.

Conclusions There is tremendous potential for citizens to contribute valuable water quality data to help WDNR and others manage our water resources, esp. in densely populated areas. There is tremendous potential for citizens to contribute valuable water quality data to help WDNR and others manage our water resources, esp. in densely populated areas. In 2006, over 45 volunteers were trained in the Milwaukee River Basin—48 sites monitored. In 2006, over 45 volunteers were trained in the Milwaukee River Basin—48 sites monitored. Level I and II Volunteers are anxious to continue, and interest is growing. Level I and II Volunteers are anxious to continue, and interest is growing. We look forward to building on WDNR’s efforts to systematize and improve the quality and quantity of citizen-collected data used to monitor our waters. We look forward to building on WDNR’s efforts to systematize and improve the quality and quantity of citizen-collected data used to monitor our waters.