Volunteer Monitoring
Data Collection Worksheet
Group Name: ___________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________
Sampling Location: _____________________________________________________
Time: ______________________________
Current Weather Conditions
Current weather: ______________________________
Rainfall amount in past 2 days: __________________________________
Required Water Chemistry Sampling Tests
Water Temperature: ___________________
Dissolved Oxygen(DO): _________________
pH: ______________________
Conductivity: _________________________
Coliform Bacteria: ______________________
Nitrates: __________________
Biochemical Oxygen Demand:: __________
Turbidity: ____________________________
Phosphates: _______________
Physical Stream Data (See next page for descriptions & check all that apply)
Water Appearance:
clear
oily
Odor:
none
chemical
muddy
foamy
grey/black
scummy
musky/organic
gas/oil
green/algae
other _______________________
rotten eggs (sewage)
other ___________________________________
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
Other: Please note any other observations. Including any land use changes, or bank cover changes, as well as excessive trash, dead fish,
etc. . ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once a year Testing – Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Sensitive
Mayfly Larvae
Caddisfly Larvae
Water Penny Larvae
Stonefly Larvae
Somewhat
Clam or Mussel
Crayfish
Dragonfly Larvae
Damselfly Larvae
Tolerant
Aquatic Worms
Black Fly Larvae
Midge Fly Larvae
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
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.
Musky
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.
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