Citizen-Based MonitoringMonitoring Data Issues

Making the Data Count

Steve GalarneauWater Quality Biologist

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Citizen-Based Monitoring ConferenceOctober 21-22, 2005

Monitoring Data Issues

• What are the “monitoring data issues”?

• Making the data count.

• How do we use Citizen-Based Monitoring data?

• Terrestrial or Aquatic Monitoring? – Lakes? Streams? Wetlands?

Focus on Stream Monitoring

• What water quality data do we need?• Why?• Where should we sample?• How do we collect the data?• When?• Who will collect those data?

Making the Data CountStream Monitoring Basics

• Begin with a Question.

• Same for Entry, Intermediate or Advanced - level water quality collectors - citizen monitors or professionals.

• What's the water quality question(s) we are trying to answer?– Monitoring Strategy

Making the Data Count Monitoring Strategy

• What information do we need to answer those questions?

• What monitoring activities do I need to do to answer the water quality question(s)?

Study design Resources - people, equipment, training, lab costs,

data management Data analysis and reporting

Making the Data Count Citizen-Based Monitoring

• How to incorporate citizen-monitoring into our water quality monitoring programs?

• Will these data be helpful?

• Will the results be accepted?

• How do we use the data?

Making the Data Count

• Citizen Monitoring Proposal is part of the strategy (Appendix A)– Incorporates all specific aspects of the Strategy

(e.g. water resource types, parameters to be monitored)

Making the Data CountMonitoring Question

• What must be done for data to be used for specific purposes?– Starts with a monitoring question…

for example

Monitoring Question cont’d.• What are the conditions of

the state’s stream resources?– Baseline Wadeable Streams

Monitoring• Probability-based sampling

design

• Electrofishing survey

• specific protocol, site selection, sample method and period

• Analytical procedures (IBI, HSI, HBI)

Where Does Citizen-Based Monitoring Fit In?

• Help us collect additional water quality data.

For Baseline Wadeable Stream monitoring that may include:

– Temperature

– Flow

– Habitat

– Watershed assessment

Beyond DNR’s WQ Monitoring

• Water Quality Observers– General WQ conditions “What are the water

quality conditions of the creek in my backyard?– Provides information on current conditions.

• No or limited site selection or frequency

• Data Issue – limited predictive ability

Citizen-Based Monitoring Data Uses• Local data uses

– Network of WQ Observers

• “Flags” - indicator of potential water quality problem– spills, kills and other chills

– more eyes on, and hands and feet in, our waters

– DLR - ‘Doesn’t Look Right’• spreading manure on snowy fields with forecasted 50oF weather for the next

few days

Citizen-Based Monitoring Data Uses cont’d

• Long-term WQ observation stations– Require specific locations and frequency

(similar to weather stations)– Weather Model

• climatological data - many individual weather measurements tell a story over time

• framework of long-term WQ observations could have similar weight

Data IssueWho “crunches” the data?

• If you’re collecting data we’ve requested, we should analyze those data.

• If you’re collecting your own data, we are not obligated to do the analysis.– Understanding Stream Data

• Other data users– counties, watershed groups,

school presentations

STREAM

Challenges

• Training

• Equipment

• Coordination

• Data management

• Reporting - data presentation

• Funding

Obstacles

• Sustainability– funding - staff, equipment, data management and

presentation (reports, websites …)– citizen monitoring coordinator position

• Sufficient number of water quality educators

• Professional / Technical support

So, given the water quality monitoring “data issues”, why do this?

Wisconsin’s Waters Win

• Collaboration• Awareness• Information needed to protect water resources• Encourage stewardship of watersheds• Inform concerned citizens of potential water quality

problems• Wide range of skill and interest• Insure optimal use of citizen-based monitoring data

UnacceptableBuilding a network but then failing to maintain the energy and focus to integrate citizen-based monitoring data into our water resources management decisions.

ResolutionWorking through “Data Issues” will improve the quality and quantity of our Water Quality Monitoring and assure optimal use of the water quality data collected.

Citizen-Based Monitoring – Data IssuesThe Flow of Ideas

• Conferences such as this where we share and listen to each other’s ideas.

• I’ve shared. Now let me listen.– Be sincere; be brief; be seated.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Questions?

WDNR Citizen-Based Monitoring Team Members

Team Leader: Kris Stepenuck DNR & UWEXsponsor: Todd Ambs

members• Tom Aartila• Jeff Bode• Laura Chern• Jim Congdon• Erin Crain• Jennifer Filbert• Steve Galarneau

• Cindy Koperski• Mike Miller • Scott Provost• Ken Schreiber• Pat Trochlell• Michelle Washebek• Mike Wenholz