Monitoring stream health involves measuring and recording long-term trends in stream conditions to measure success in conserving the Piedmont’s natural aquatic habitats and waterways. Since these streams eventually flow into larger waterways such as the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, the protection of headwater streams is important for water quality throughout the region.

Water quality, macroinvertebrates, fish populations, physical characteristics, etc.

Understanding the scope of a stream’s health is critical. Monitoring overall stream health includes many components, such as monitoring water quality, biological populations, and physical features of stream habitat. Monitoring water quality involves testing for the presence of common stream pollutants, from sediment to e-coli bacteria. Monitoring biological populations is important because strong populations of macroinvertebrates and fish species in Virginia’s streams are indicators of clean, healthy streams and diverse ecosystems. Observing the physical characteristics of a stream, such as erosion, can provide valuable qualitative information about the stream’s condition. From conserving Virginia’s aquatic wildlife to ensuring safe drinking water, the impacts of monitoring stream health are far-reaching and critical for a healthy ecosystem.

Supporting and promoting citizen science

One way PEC and its partner organizations work to monitor and protect these streams is through the help of citizen scientists. Citizen scientists are passionate citizens, like yourself, that conduct scientific research. PEC holds water quality events in the Thumb Run watershed and Loudoun County for people of all backgrounds. Volunteer activism helps preserve local communities and ecosystems, and is essential to protecting Virginia’s Piedmont.

How can I get involved? If you are interested in working with PEC as a citizen scientist, please check out our volunteer form. There are also great watershed protection groups that focus on stream health monitoring throughout the PEC region.