French River Connection

Water Quality Monitoring

Our 2008 Water Quality Monitoring Campaign consists of 15 sites which are monitored monthly from March until November, using the TROLL 9500 water quality monitoring device provided by the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor. Data we collect includes dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, and conductivity. Lamotte SMART 2 colorimeters are used to measure Nitrate and Phosphate. At some sites, we record water levels on staff gauges calibrated by Nichols College to measure flow. As in 2007, we will deploy five HOBO temperature data loggers to record temperature data every 15 minutes over the summer months in colder streams.

We have applied lessons learned from our 2006 and 2007 campaigns and have included them in 2008 in our Quality Assurance Program Plan submitted to DEP. 

OBJECTIVES:

The French River suffered from more than a century of degradation from industrial activity along its banks, and its waters are listed as impaired by the Department of Environmental Protection, but life has returned to much of the river, with healthy plant growth, fish populations, and an abundance of wildlife in the river corridor. The objectives of our monitoring program are :

To demonstrate to the public that the river is worthy of protection and enjoyment.

Locate pollution sources and report our findings to local and state officials for appropriate action.

Gather data to use when commenting to local officials on decisions before them affecting the river.

Assist Nichols College in gathering flow data

Determine if any streams should be classified as cold-water habitat

By maintaining a monitoring program over many years, document trends in the health of the river.

Engage community members in the monitoring program to interest them in the river as a community resource

The In-Situ TROLL 9500 and associated Rugged Reader

The Onset HOBO temperature data logger

Lamotte SMART 2

Colorimeter

Above, a three-person team collects data at Old Mill Brook. In addition to the chemical data, volunteers note ambient and recent weather conditions, water appearance and odor, plant and animal life, and water level or flow.

FULL REPORTS:

French River Connection Water Quality Monitoring Report for 2005

French River Connection Water Quality Monitoring Report for 2006

French River Connection Water Quality Monitoring Report for 2007

Here is our Report Card for 2007, based on criteria for healthy streams developed by the MASS DEP SMART program.

The chart above shows the seven day rolling average of daily maximum stream temperatures. Streams below 68 are candidates to be designated cold water resources