The South River in a Snapshot

On Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. more than three dozen volunteers waded into small creeks and streams in the area to collect water samples and record their observations of the stream and surrounding area.

The volunteers spread out along streams and tributaries in the South River watershed to help the South River Federation (SRF) gather samples and collect other helpful information on water quality and stream health.

Volunteers attended a training session prior to the event for a tutorial on how to take water samples and collect stream health information. During the training, volunteers also received their sampling supplies and selected their testing sites.

With nearly every one of the 50 test sites assigned, the event will likely yield valuable information that the federation will be able to use in future efforts to clean up the watershed, officials said.

Two water samples were collected from each site and will be analyzed for bacterial and nutrient levels. Other tests included dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity. Volunteers also took note of the conditions around the tributaries. They  also were asked to write down any observations like wildlife sightings, plants and even to record litter in the area.

After collecting the samples, volunteers dropped them off at the South River Federation office in Edgewater for testing. Volunteers were mostly local residents who live in the watershed and wanted to contribute to restoring its health.

Owen Cook ad Gwenn Azama of Annapolis tested sites near Thomas Point. Cook said the conditions at his site were better than he had expected. He said he enjoys the work, but there is certainly a lot of work left to do in order to clean up the watershed.

“Considering it’s been raining so much it’s pretty clear,” he said. “It’s fulfilling, but I just wish we we’re making a little more progress towards the river water quality improving. It just takes everybody doing their part.”

Sherry and Terry Cox of Edgewater said they fish and boat on the river so the health of the small streams that feed it are important to them. Their testing site was located just south of the South River bridge.

Terry Cox said this year’s event is the third snapshot the two have attended. He said his family frequents the South River for recreation and fishing and that has prompted them to volunteer in the past.

“In the summer we spend a lot of time on the river,” he said. “We take the boat out, and go swimming and tubing. You can’t get out there if it’s too dirty.”

The South River Federation also received help from local Boy Scout troop 815, which organized 15 volunteers to help out during the event.

South River riverkeeper Diana Muller organized the event and will analyze the water samples for nutrient levels over the next few weeks. She said she was pleased.

“I’m happy with the turn out,” she said. “The amount of new people is really great.”

Muller said she can acquire a lot of useful data from the event, but it also is a great way to get local people involved in issues that impact the health of the watershed.

“The event is about building environmental literacy and getting families together and getting them outside,” Muller said. “A lot of people don’t realize where the watershed is or that it is so large. Some people have no idea those little streams are even there.”

Muller will perform the nutrient analysis and Dr. Greg Brennan will analyze samples at Anne Arundel County Community College for bacterial levels. The results will take about two weeks to complete. Final results of the snapshot will be available on the SRF website.