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Water Quality Monitoring Started By
Blanchard
River
Watershed Partnership
Wet and muddy volunteers will soon be seen along riverbanks
as
water quality
monitoring starts this season in the headwaters of the
Blanchard
River. Grants from The
Community Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, and the
Ohio
Department of Natural
Resources to the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership (BRWP)
are funding the project,
started in 2008. Information is being gathered to assist in
protecting water supplies to public
water systems and wells throughout the six county watershed. All
volunteers have permission
from landowners or will work from bridges.
Watershed Coordinator Phil Martin will lead volunteer training
and
river monitoring
work assisted by Sarah Betts, Natural Resources Coordinator for
the Hancock Park District.
Research will be continued in the Outlet / Lye Creek
sub-watersheds up river from Findlay and,
new this year will be Riley
Creek
near Bluffton. The BRWP work is an economical way to
determine local solutions and get the public involved.
Volunteers for the monitoring and observation of river problems
are still needed
and
may contact Martin to get involved at 419-422-6487. New recruits
will be trained to gather
samples of animal life affected by pollution which help in
finding solutions for watershed
restoration. Problems with failed septic systems, erosion and
contaminants leaking into the river
may be probable sources. Grants may be available to landowners
to assist in such remedial
projects once a water quality management plan is completed.
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