Riffles & Pools Spring 2003

Indiana Department of Environmental Management sent this bulletin at 07/07/2023 03:52 PM EDT

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Greetings Riverwatchers!

Happy spring to everyone! Countless flowers are blooming, and green foliage is starting to bud out on our treetops. The sweet smell of spring is accompanied by seasonal rain showers, filling up our creeks and rivers. Temperatures are on the rise and our volunteers are beginning to visit their sites for the first time this year, although we have a handful of “early birds” that get out during the winter months. (Shout out to Jim Bancroft of Carmel Clay Parks for the earliest sampling this year – January 11!)

Download the PDF version of Riffles & Pools for the full article.
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2023 Instructor Gathering

Hoosier Riverwatch would not have the same positive impact without the trained volunteer instructors that offer workshops throughout the year. The “train the trainer” model used in the program allows for a greater reach across the state. Our instructors can be found from the Michigan-Indiana state line to the Ohio River. In addition to conducting Hoosier Riverwatch workshops, instructors often collect data, conduct youth outreach and coordinate watershed management plans. To show appreciation for our instructors, we organized a gathering held at The Garrison at Fort Harrison State Park in February.

Download the PDF version of Riffles & Pools for the full article.
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Congrats to our 2022 instructor award recipients!

Most 2022 Workshops – Darci Zolman

Longest Active Volunteership – Lyn Crighton

Most 2022 Database Entries – Carrie Parmenter

Thank you to all Hoosier Riverwatch instructors for their hard work work and commitment!

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Nonpoint Source Success Story

Aquatic Life in Big Creek Benefits from Land Conservation Practices

Nutrients from fertilizer, livestock, and failing septic systems are the primary detriments to water quality in Big Creek and Central Muscatatuck watershed. In 2010, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) listed three segments of Big Creek and one unnamed tributary segment on the state's Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters. Forty-four miles fo stream were listed for failure to support aquatic life after a 2006 survey revealed that fish community consisted of mostly tolerant species and few sensitive fishes.

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Camptown Creek Stomps

Favorable weather during the early days of spring has opened opportunities for hands-on sampling. In addition to the workshops hosted for adult volunteers, several outreach events have been held with Indianapolis-area schools. Hoosier Riverwatch Coordinator, Dylan Allison, partnered with Camptown to engage with students from elementary through high school.

Indy Met High School was introduced to Hoosier Riverwatch last winter (see Riffles & Pools Winter 2023 issue), but the students were now able to conduct field sampling at Fall Creek. The activities helped the students earn their Teen Indiana Master Naturalist certification.

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IDEM Celebrates Earth Day

Hundreds of classrooms from around the state requested environmental programs to celebrate Earth Day, and IDEM staff answered the call! IDEM employees were able to volunteer during the month of April to travel to schools to present on a variety of “green” topics. Lesson plans included activities in air, land, water, and recycling.

Download the PDF version of Riffles & Pools for the full article.