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Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program

The Citizen Stream Monitoring Program (CSMP) combines the knowledge and commitment of interested citizens with the technical expertise and resources of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Volunteer stream monitors are a critical component of Minnesota’s Water Quality Strategy. About the CSMP The Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program began in 1998 when 17 volunteers monitored 22 sites.  Today, over 500 volunteers monitor close to 800 sites across Minnesota’s ten major river basins. With over 92,000 river miles in Minnesota, there are many streams and rivers that need citizen monitors. Goals of the CSMP are to: Help determine the condition of Minnesota streams by expanding our water-quality monitoring network. Provide the opportunity for anyone interested to participate in a basic, centrally administered and interpreted stream monitoring program. Support existing volunteer monitoring programs. Facilitate awareness and understanding of water-quality issues, and promote shared responsibility for protection of Minnesota's water resources. What CSMP Volunteers Do About once a week during the summer, volunteers visit an established spot on a nearby stream and measure the following:

Find a river to monitor About the CSMP What Volunteers Do What CSMP Data Tells Us Uses for CSMP Data Search CSMP Data Publications Reports Newsletters Help for Volunteers Email data to us How to Enroll Related Links More Information View CSMP Training Video Clips

Measure:	Measurement Tool:	What it Tells Us:
Transparency	Transparency tube - clear, 60 cm-long tube with colored disk on the bottom for measuring depth at which disk is visible	The clarity of stream water: how much sediment, algae, and other materials are suspended in the water
Appearance	Observation of stream-water color	Potential causes of low transparency readings (e.g., sediment, algae, bog stain)
Recreational Suitability	Visual assessment on a scale of 1-5 (1=Very Good, 5=Very Poor)	The perceived suitability of a stream for fishing, swimming or boating
*Precipitation	Rain gauge	How rainfall events and runoff affect stream transparency, appearance and stage
Stream stage	Visual estimate (Low, Normal, High) OR Measurement from benchmark above the stream (bridge or culvert) to water surface	Water level: If changes in water level, which may occur during rainfall events, affect transparency and appearance.

*precipitation is monitored daily

What CSMP Data Tells Us

Tracking water transparency is like monitoring your blood pressure because it tells us about the health of a stream.  A low transparency reading reflects excess sediment (soil material) or other suspended material, like algae, in the water.  Consistently low transparency readings indicate poor water quality.  To find out more about the kind of information CSMP monitoring provides, check out the following documents and sites:

• What is a Transparency Tube and What Does it Measure?
• Guide to Interpreting Transparency Readings This document breaks transparency readings into four categories from ‘Poor’ to ‘Excellent’ as a benchmark for comparison of Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program transparency readings.
• The Interactive Hydrograph See a series of photos showing how an agricultural field, adjoining ditch, and a river system react to rain events throughout the growing season.

Uses for CSMP Data

Changes over time in transparency, appearance and recreational suitability can serve as yardsticks to measure improvements or declines in water quality. Here are some examples of how CSMP data are used:

• Water quality assessment and impairment determination
  Transparency tube readings are good predictors of the turbidity (cloudiness) of the water.  When a stream transparency reading is below 20 centimeters, the state limit, or “standard” for turbidity is exceeded.

• Before and after a change in upstream land use
  If a land management change is planned near a stream or river, select a monitoring site just downstream of where the change will take place. Monitor before and after the change occurs to detect any potential effects on the stream.

• Seasonal storm monitoring
  Compare CSMP data for rainfall events during spring, summer, and fall to background or baseflow (low flow) conditions. Keep track of upstream land management practices or crop status during this period.

• Upstream and downstream of a water quality improvement project
  Monitor a site upstream, and a site downstream of a stormwater retention pond or stream vegetative buffer (fenced area along the edges of a stream) to evaluate its effectiveness at reducing sediment inputs.

For more information on water quality standards and the Impaired Waters Program, check out the following:

• Impaired Waters and TMDLs
• Using Transparency Tube and Total Suspended Solids Data to Assess Stream Turbidity
• Transparency Tube Criteria for Stream Assessments

Turbidity/Transparency -- Statewide

Be sure to check out the latest CSMP publications for additional information.

How to Enroll in the Program

Any person or group willing to devote a small amount of time and energy to conduct simple stream checks on a regular basis can become a volunteer monitor. Volunteers will receive a transparency tube, rain gauge, data sheets, CSMP Instruction Manual, and a training video.  If you are interested in becoming a CSMP volunteer, fill out the form below and either submit it electronically by hitting the "submit" button, or print it out and return it to the address listed at the bottom.

Students at Maple River Middle School in Minnesota Lake monitor the Big Cobb River as part of the MPCA's Citizen Stream Monitoring Program.

Please submit this application electronically or print it out and return it to:

Laurie Sovell
MN Pollution Control Agency
Coordinator, Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program
520 Lafayette Rd. N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
800-657-3864 (toll free)
651-757-2750 (direct)
651-297-8324 (fax)

Links to Related Sites

• Volunteer Surface Water Monitoring
• Minnesota Milestone River Monitoring Program

Environmental Education Sites:

• GREEN
• Hamiline Rivers of Life
• SEEK

Other Volunteer Monitoring Sites:

• Summary of Volunteer Monitoring Websites
• EPA's Volunteer Monitoring Program
• Hennepin Conservation District Riverwatch Program
• Indiana Riverwatch
• Malibu Creek Stream Team
• Massachusetts Water Watch Partnership Data Presentation Manual for monitoring groups
• Minnesota DNR's Adopt-A-River Program
• Minnesota Waters
• Missouri Stream Team (includes a macroinvertebrate key, pictures, and sketches)
• Pennsylvania's Senior Volunteer Corps
• The Watershed Partners Volunteer Stream Monitoring Partnership
• Vermillion River Watch
• Water Quality Terminology, Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network (BASIN)

More Information

If you need additional information or assistance, contact: Coordinator, Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155, 800-657-3864 (Greater MN), 651-296-6300 (Twin Cities Metro Area), 651-297-8324 (fax), csmp@pca.state.mn.us (email)

If you need additional information or assistance, please contact:

• Laurie Sovell 651-757-2750
• Johanna Schussler 651-757-2705

Outside the metro area, Laurie and Johanna can be reached by calling 1-800-657-3864.