The Official Blog of Alabama Water Watch
AWW traveled to north Alabama last November to conduct water monitor trainings in the Clear Creek Watershed, thanks to a grant from Patagonia. The grant was secured in early 2013 to build grassroots capacity in monitoring and watershed stewardship activities in the watershed (go to www.alabamawaterwatch.org and click Related Projects for more on the Clear Creek Project). Continue reading “Friends of Clear Creek get certified”
The AU Ecological Engineering class (BSEN 5510/6510), taught by Dr. Puneet Shrivastava, met with Eric Reutebuch and Cliff Webber last November to learn about Alabama Water Watch(AWW) and to examine a local stream using the AWW Water Chemistry Monitoring and Stream Biomonitoring protocols. Continue reading “AU Biosystems students assess local stream”
About a hundred people gathered at the AU Fisheries Pavilion on October 12th to celebrate the career and achievements of Dr. Bill Deutsch. After 26 years of service, Bill now works primarily for his one dozen-plus grandkids (its official – see below).
The Earth System Science Center in Huntsville hosted AWW water quality workshops in September.
Click photo above for more info
As a friend of AWW, you probably already know that hundreds of citizen monitors volunteer hundreds of hours each year in stewardship of streams, rivers, lakes, bays and bayous statewide (you may BE one of those monitors!). Volunteers that have been trained and certified in water quality monitoring (water chemistry, bacteriological, stream biomonitoring) have tested over 2,200 sites on 800+ waterbodies over the past two decades, and achieved waterbody upgrades, resolution of countless water pollution problems, and education of thousands of youth and adults in aquatic ecology, water quality and watershed stewardship. What would happen if AWW were to cease?
Continue reading “Alabama Water Watch continues its evolution”
Want to keep yourself and your loved ones from getting sick from exposure to contaminated water while recreating? Well, now, there’s an app for that! It’s called the SWIM Guide. Here’s a description of the Swim Guide and how it came to be, source: www.theswimguide.org
“Swim Guide is built and powered by Waterkeepers to connect you to beaches and swimming holes everywhere.
Continue reading “AWW Data Makes Swimming at Your Favorite Water Hole Safer”
Acknowledging the crucial role water plays in sustaining Alabamians and supporting future development, Governor Bentley established a task force in 2012, known as the Alabama Water Agencies Working Group (AWAWG), charged with developing policy options for a comprehensive water management plan for the State. This would be the FIRST such plan developed for the wise management of Alabama’s waters. The AWAWG consists of representatives from five key agencies in Alabama that deal with the management of water and water resources, including the:
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that states assess surface waters and compile a list of those that have become polluted to the point that they no longer support their Use Classification (e.g., Fish & Wildlife, Public Water Supply, Swimming & Whole-body Contact, etc.). This list of impaired waters is known as the 303(d) List.
The 303(d) List must be submitted by the states to the U.S. EPA on April 1 of every even-numbered year. The 303(d) List contains details for each impaired waterbody, including the waterbody name, type of waterbody, locational information, the Use Classification of the waterbody, the cause(s) and source(s) of impairment, the area of impairment, the year that the waterbody was first listed, and the year that a draft TMDL is scheduled to be completed for that waterbody. Continue reading “ADEM Releases Final 2012 303(d) List”
The mission of HOBO (Home Owners Boat Owners) is to preserve, protect and improve the quality of life in and around Lake Mitchell.
One way we do this is through water monitoring.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE
(SOURCE: The Clanton Advertiser)
Emails and phone calls were abuzz last week among Auburn-area water watchers and creek residents who detected something amiss with their beloved Saugahatchee Creek. They reported to the Alabama Water Watch program office that the creek was running black, and that it had a foul odor! AWW staff promptly contacted municipal authorities, and both Auburn and Opelika sent out teams to figure out what was going on.
Continue reading “Water Watchers catch industrial sludge release into creek”