Volunteer Monitoring
Initial Data Collection Worksheet
Group Name: ___________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________
Sampling Location: _____________________________________________________
Time: ______________________________
Current Weather Conditions
Current weather: ______________________________
Rainfall amount in past 2 days: __________________________________
Point Source Pollution – If no pipes exist this section needs to be filled out the first monitoring visit only.
Are there any direct discharge pipes into the creek?
________________
How Many? _________________
Pipe #1:
Pipe #2:
Pipe Size (interior diameter in inches): __________
Pipe Size (interior diameter in inches): __________
RCP –concrete
RCP –concrete
HDPE – black plastic
PVC –white
HDPE – black plastic
PVC –white
__________
Does the pipe have an active discharge?
__________
Does the pipe have an active discharge?
__________
Did you test above and below the pipe to
__________
Did you test above and below the pipe to
determine any changes in water quality?
determine any changes in water quality?
Temp: __________ upstream
Temp: __________ upstream__________ downstream
__________ downstream
pH:
__________ upstream
__________ downstream
pH: __________ upstream
__________ downstream
DO:
__________ upstream
__________ downstream
DO: __________ upstream
__________ downstream
Required Water Chemistry Sampling Tests
Water Temperature: ___________________
Dissolved Oxygen(DO): _________________
pH: ______________________
Conductivity: _________________________
Coliform Bacteria: ______________________
Nitrates: __________________
Biochemical Oxygen Demand:: __________
Turbidity: ____________________________
Phosphates: _______________
Once a Year Water Sampling Tests
Benthic Macroinvertebrates:
Sensitive
Mayfly Larvae
Caddisfly Larvae
Water Penny Larvae
Stonefly Larvae
revised cmsws 7/10
Somewhat
Clam or Mussel
Crayfish
Dragonfly Larvae
Damselfly Larvae
Tolerant
Aquatic Worms
Black Fly Larvae
Midge Fly Larvae
Physical Stream Data (See next page for descriptions & check all that apply)
Water Appearance:
clear
oily
muddy
foamy
Odor:
none
chemical
grey/black
scummy
musky/organic
gas/oil
green/algae
other _______________________
rotten eggs (sewage)
other ___________________________________
Bank Cover: Look at the stream bank on both sides and determine % of plant cover in several spots. (mark left or right bank looking
downstream)
Good (70-100% of bank soil covered by plants)
right bank
left bank
Fair (30-70% of bank soil covered by plants)
right bank
left bank
Poor (0-30% of bank soil covered by plants)
right bank
left bank
No change since last visit
right bank
left bank
Bank Stability: Stand on stream bank in five locations and determine if material sinks below your feet.
No Locations
1-3 Locations
4-5 Locations
Stream Bottom:
Rocky
Sandy
Silty
Algae Color:
Algae Location:
Light green
Matted on Stream Bed
Widespread
Dark Green
Hairy Looking
Localized
Brown Coat
None
______ % Bedcover
Land Use: Check all that apply to your stream reach
Stores/Commercial
Factories/Industrial
Farm Fields (cows/horses)
Forest
Residential
Agriculture (crops)
Construction
Golf Course/Playing Field
No change since last visit
Other: Please note any other observations. i.e. excessive trash, dead fish, etc. ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return data collection worksheet to Volunteer Coordinator via:
Email: erin.oliverio@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Mail: Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program
700 N. Tryon Street, Suite 205, Charlotte, NC 28202
fax: 704-336-4391
Stream Survey Category Descriptions
Use these descriptions to help fill out the field data sheet
Water Appearance
Clear
The bottom of the stream can be seen without any obstruction from sediment, suspended
matter, floating matter, or odd colors.
Muddy
brown
Often associated with recent rain events or construction site runoff/discharge.
Milky
Whitish discoloration often accompanied by white cottony masses on streambed (sewage
fungus) and a sewage odor.
Grey/Black
Color also associated with sewage discharge, often indicating a large discharge that has been
occurring for an extended period.
Green/Algae Water column is green, indicating nutrient enrichment (small to moderate amount of algal growth
is good/normal).
Oily
Multi-color sheen on water surface. If surface is disturbed and sheen breaks apart in blocks, this
may be iron bacteria which is natural. If it stays together and is accompanied by fuel odor,
waste motor oil or fuel discharge may be present.
Foamy
Surface bubbles or formation of bubbles when water is disturbed (small amount of bubbles is
normal). Soapy discharge may be present.
Scummy
A film of yellow-brown material on water’s surface may be pollen.
Substrate Type
Rocky
Sandy
Silty
Odor
Musky
Bottom covered with many large rocks and gravel-sized stones.
Bottom covered with coarse to fine sand.
Bottom covered with particles smaller than sand, often giving the bottom a soft feeling composed
of organic materials and sediment.
Natural areas near streams often have a musky smell due to the decay of organic material
(leaves, logs, plants).
Rotten Eggs Stream smells like rotten eggs, possibly indicating sewage. The odor is created when anaerobic
bacteria break down sewage and give off hydrogen sulfide gas.
Gas/Oil
Indication that waste motor oil or fuel has been discharged to the stream (look for visible signs of
discharge).
Chemical
Indicates discharge of industrial waste or other source of chemical pollutants.