The Spring 2009 Adopt-A-Stream Events will be held on the
following dates:
Captain and Collector Training: Saturday, April 18,
2009 (9am-12pm)
Spring Stream Search: Saturday, April 25, 2009 (9am-2pm)
Bug ID Day: Saturday, May 9, 2009 (9am-1pm)
The River Raisin Adopt-A-Stream Program is a volunteer stream monitoring program that assesses the health of local streams by identifying the different types of insects and other macroinvertebrates living in the streams and river. The Adopt-A-Stream Program follows a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that has been approved by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The River Raisin Watershed Council’s Adopt-a-Stream program is one of only nine in the state to have an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan and one of only three in the state to identify insects to the family level.
Insects are one of the best biological indicators of stream quality. By establishing years of macroinvertebrates at the same monitoring sites, trends within the macroinvertebrate community become apparent. Stable, rising or declining insect communities suggest areas in the watershed to enhance and protect. Analyses of the insect communities can also help measure the impact of conservation programs and changes in landuse over time.
River Raisin Adopt-A-Stream Program has been monitoring sites every year since 2000. Since 2002, insects have been identified to the family level.
If you would like to help with either our fall or our spring Stream Search email the River Raisin Watershed Council at courtney.shaffer@comcast.net or call the RRWC office at 517-265-5599.
