Water Monitoring

Montana Watercourse has been helping teacher, student and citizen volunteers monitor Montana's waters since November 1996. Our goal is to promote knowledge and stewardship of aquatic resources by teaching local volunteers the skills needed to gather accurate, non-biased water quality information.

Click here to view our new, interactive database! The database allows you to store your data, make graphs, compare data to other areas in the state, or browse other volunteers data.

Download the database intructions here.

Click here for more information on our three levels of training.

Contact Stephanie McGinnis for upcoming events in your area.

Grants from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency helped to launch these efforts and continue to keep them running.

Montana Watercourse employs a non-advocacy approach in teaching water quality and water monitoring procedures, focusing on providing citizens with tools and training so that they may make informed decisions regarding local water quality issues. Consequently, participants are encouraged to work in a positive manner and to build bridges within their communities whenever possible. The information gathered by participants is for educational purposes and to increase awareness and enhance stewardship of Montana’s water resources. Additionally, it is a starting point for individuals to gather baseline information about their streams and rivers.

Audience

Individuals or groups that would like an introduction to water quality monitoring or have had previous training and need a refresher.
Resource professionals seeking subsequent Level 2 or Level 3 training.
Community groups, educators, school groups.

Learn how to

Start a water monitoring program
Design a monitoring plan
Execute water quality monitoring basics
Manage data
Create a sustainable program

Additional Benefits

Existing Groups

Replacement supplies and equipment (as funds allow)
Improved quality of data collection
Community contacts and networking
Service-learning training: translating data into action
2010 and/or 2011 Water Summit for Students and Teachers invitation with subsidized costs
Educator stipend for mentoring new groups
Bus costs for two local water monitoring events for each year (as funds allow)

New Groups

Support for purchase of appropriate water monitoring equipment
Bus costs for two local water monitoring events for each year (as funds allow)
2010 and/or 2011Water Summit for Students and Teachers invitation
Community contacts and networking
Technical assistance
Support from the regional mentor

MTWC in partnership with Montana State University Extension Water Quality recently conducted a pilot volunteer monitoring certification program. If you are interested in collecting data that could be used by decision makers, contact us and click here for more information on certification.

See our Monitoring for Educators page for more information and VM resources.

Visit our Publications page to see the updated version of the Volunteer Water Monitoring Guidebook - new for 2009.