In 2010, a group of friends, all members of the Ozark Chapter of Missouri Master Naturalists and all Missouri Volunteer Water Quality Monitors, began an ambitious project. We decided to conduct water quality monitoring at least once a year, using both benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and chemical testing, at every mileof the forty-two mile navigable portion of Bryant Creek, a beautiful Ozark stream in Douglas and Ozark counties, Missouri.
Volunteer sampling team on Bryant Creek
After adding in a couple of additional sampling sites, the group covers some fifty locations on the creek, which has been divided into multiple segments, each overseen by a Team Captain. Not only is the information useful, but it’s a great excuse to get out with friends on one of the Ozark’s best streams.
Sue Roberts measures sedimentation as part of stream assessment.
Bryant Creek is part of the North Fork of the White River Watershed, and is a lovely place to fish, swim, or float. All water quality data is submitted to the State of Missouri’s Stream Team program, and is also compiled into an ongoing report, complete with data, graphs, bells and whistles.
John Rothgeb conducts a chemical test.
The complete text of the report, through 2011, is given in pdf form at the link below. Sampling and testing for 2012 will probably begin in March. Anyone who’d like to come along is welcome!
This looks like so much fun! Is your group totally loving it?
We have a GRAND old time, and there’s ALWAYS room for you to come along!