Volunteer Stream Monitoring

ST logo

Since 1994, the Pierce Conservation District Stream Team has been deeply engaged and in relationship with community members as Stream Team monitors. Since that time, 2,050 people have participated in the Stream Team Program and grown from 8 to 39 sites. Through long term engagement with monitors, we produce Stream Team reports for jurisdictions, update monitors through monthly emails and provide watershed programming. Our monitors also can participate in leadership and engagement through our Chinook Program, as an advanced Stream Team monitor. 

South Prairie Creek
Crisp morning at South Prairie Creek

STREAM MONITOR GOALS: 

• Watershed education 

• Involve community in citizen science monitoring 

• Increase available water quality data 

• Identify areas of concern 

WHAT DO OUR STREAM MONITORS DO?

• Measure dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH, nitrate-nitrogen and turbidity 

• Measure stream flow if appropriate  

• Conduct an annual habitat assessment  

• Record observations 


Curtis HS1

Curtis High School students assessing stream health at Kobayashi Park in University Place

We offer training and use of monitoring equipment to anyone interested in learning more about Pierce County streams and/or becoming a citizen scientist. If you are interested in joining Stream Team and making a difference in your local watershed, please fill out the Stream Team Application and email to Belinda. We encourage our monitors to partner for safety and double-checking data. We also have a limited number of kits available. We can support 60 unique monitors that equates to 50 monitoring groups and 10 individuals. If you wish to monitor solo, your name will be placed on a waitlist until a spot opens. If you have questions about Stream Team, please contact Belinda.     


Salmon

Decomposing salmon returning nutrients to the riparian habitat 

Stream Team Reports


  1. Pierce Conservation District Annual Stream Team Report_2020
  2. Pierce Conservation District Annual Stream Team Report_2021

PRIORITIZED MONITORING SITES

STORY MAP: STREAM TEAM HISTORY

Pierce Conservation District's Stream Team 1994 to Present


StreamTeamStoryMap

Contact Us

  1. Belinda Paterno

    Water Quality Program Manager
    belindap@piercecd.org
    Phone: (253) 225-9162
    More Information