The Ohio River Channel
A Periodic Update From The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission
November 2024
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Protecting Our Great Natural Resource, the Ohio River | |
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Happy Fall from ORSANCO and FORE!
As we conclude another successful year in our ongoing efforts to protect and promote the Ohio River, we are filled with a profound sense of gratitude and optimism. Our achievements shine brightly, thanks to the unwavering commitment of our dedicated Commission, staff, and the incredible support from our partners. Together, we've dived into impactful projects and organized events that truly resonate with our basin communities! Looking ahead, we invite you to jump on board with the exciting initiatives that are just around the bend. It's vital to celebrate our progress, but let’s not forget the importance of preserving this precious natural resource for generations to come. Our mission is more than just checking off accomplishments; it’s about creating a legacy of appreciation and stewardship for the Ohio River.
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Sam Dinkins
Executive Director
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of Sam Dinkins, who has recently been promoted to the position of Executive Director at ORSANCO. With an impressive tenure of 29 years dedicated to the vital work of conducting water quality monitoring and assessments, Sam has been a cornerstone of our organization, diligently addressing issues related to pathogens, toxics, and a myriad of other pollutants. In his previous capacity as Technical Program Manager, he skillfully managed various program areas, including emergency response and source water protection, showcasing his commitment to enhancing our water quality initiatives. Sam's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Thomas More University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. As he steps into his new role as Executive Director on November 1, we are excited to witness the continued positive impact he will undoubtedly bring to our organization and the communities we serve.
Riley Lanfear
Environmental Scientist I
Riley is a dedicated Environmental Scientist I who joined ORSANCO in June, bringing her expertise to oversee the Bimonthly and Clean Metals monitoring programs. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Central Michigan University, which she earned in 2020, Riley has gained valuable experience by collecting water, plant, soil, and microbiome samples from diverse ecosystems, including wetlands in Michigan, deserts in Utah, and mountain streams in Idaho. Her passion for water quality shines through in her work, and she is genuinely excited about the opportunity to contribute to the health of the Ohio River, making a positive impact on the environment and the communities that depend on it.
Bridget Borrowdale
Public Information & Outreach Coordinator
Bridget is a highly experienced Senior Aquatic Biologist who has dedicated the last 6.5 years to her role at the ORSANCO. She earned her Master’s degree in Environmental Science in 2014, subsequently contributing three years of valuable research on Asian Carp with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Her expertise in aquatic biology has significantly enhanced ORSANCO's initiatives. As she prepares for a new chapter in her career, Bridget will transition to the position of Public Information & Outreach Coordinator at the beginning of the new year. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys practicing yoga and exploring the great outdoors alongside her dog and fiancé, reflecting her passion for the environment both personally and professionally.
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Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities: From Headwaters to Mainstem"
The 2024 ORBA Summit, held at the esteemed University of Pittsburgh from October 30 to November 1, was a landmark event that united a diverse array of voices from community organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profits, all driven by a common purpose: the health and restoration of the Ohio River Basin. With an impressive turnout of 276 registrants from 11 different states plus Washington, D.C., this three-day summit was a vibrant hub of knowledge and collaboration, featuring 40 dynamic sessions led by 76 presenters fostering discussions and collaborations aimed at enhancing the health and sustainability of the Ohio River Basin. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in five field trips, participate in networking sessions, and experience a thought-provoking movie screening, all while connecting with representatives from influential organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and RiverLife. The breadth of participation—ranging from Pittsburgh Water and Sewer to American Rivers—illustrates the deep commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
If you are eager to be part of this conversation and learn more about ORBA and the Restoration Plan for the Ohio River Basin, we invite you to visit their website and join us in this essential mission.
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ORSANCO Technical Programs Updates | | |
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National Rivers and Streams Assessment (NRSA)
The Biological crew completed their work with NRSA in early October. In total, 92 sites across 4 states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio) were completed. These streams ranged in size and included electrofishing by boat, bass buggy, and electrofishing backpacks.
NRSA is an EPA collaborative survey that provides information on the ecological condition of the nation's rivers and streams and the key stressors that affect them, both on a national and an ecoregional scale. These surveys are based on chemical and biological data collected and analyzed using standardized field and laboratory methods.
Read more about NRSA
Ohio River Pool Surveys
In addition to NRSA work this year, Montgomery and Newburgh pools were sampled assessing water quality, habitat, aquatic vegetation, as well as macroinvertebrate and fish populations. This year, the standard operating procedure (SOP) for collecting macroinvertebrates was modified. Changing from years prior, two Hester Dendy (HD) samplers were set in order to increase the likelihood of retrieval in the Newburgh pool. It is not uncommon for HDs to be moved, lost, or washed ashore, making their data unusable. In the past, only one HD per site was set and a multi-habitat kick sample was also collected to be used in the event that an HD was unable to be retrieved. However, since multi-habitat data must meet demanding criteria in order to be applied to the ORMIn index, it was decided that efforts were best placed on ensuring successful HD retrieval.
View Past Pool Reports
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Benthic Algae Project
While there has been a recent focus on harmful algal blooms, benthic algae communities have been largely ignored. Beginning in August, ORSANCO staff have been assisting USEPA ORD researchers to help develop a methodology for sampling benthic harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) and their toxins to better understand the role of benthic blooms in cyanotoxin production and establish tools for identification and quantification of HCBs.
This project includes periodic collection of grab water samples coinciding with ORSANCO's routine fecal indicator bacteria monitoring to analyze for nutrient species and genes coding for cyanotoxins using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a laboratory technique that amplifies and measures DNA in real time. ORSANCO also hosted USEPA ORD researchers to sample 15 sites in the Markland pool by boat, collecting benthic sediment samples via ponar grab sampler, surface and depth samples, and general water quality parameters. Other sampling efforts are being conducted in Virginia, Utah, California, and Washington to help develop this methodology.
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Aulacoseira samples (pictured above and below) | |
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
This summer, ORSANCO investigated two Aulacoseira blooms after water utilities reported reduction in their filter run times. The first of these blooms occurred in early June and seemed to be localized to Maysville, KY (Ohio River Mile, ORM 408) and lasted about one week. The second of these Aulacoseira blooms was first reported in Louisville, and was seen upstream as far as Meldahl Lock and Dam. It persisted until late July, peaking the week of July 9th.
Louisville Water reported a Microcystis bloom on the Kentucky River near the end of July with toxin levels at 4.69ug/L. When Kentucky EEC went to investigate, there were no signs of a bloom. On August 1st, the bloom reappeared in Louisville near ORM 502. Algal toxins exceeded the standard and Kentucky EEC issued an advisory. ORSANCO assisted Kentucky DEP and Indiana DEM with algal toxin sampling. Microcystis toxins were only detected in five of the 27 samples collected by ORSANCO, and levels in all samples were below the recreational standard of 8.0 ug/L. After ten days of samples being below the recreational advisory threshold, the advisory was lifted on August 22nd.
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Aquatic Biologist (Level I-II)
ORSANCO is seeking applicants for its Biological Programs staff. Primary tasks involve planning and participating in field surveys (night-time electrofishing, macroinvertebrate sampling, and various abiotic data collections). The position is full-time exempt and based out of ORSANCO's office in Cincinnati, OH. Field travel up to two weeks per month (June-October, annually) is common.
Click below for a full position description and instructions to apply.
Cover letter, resume, and references due by November 29th, 2024.
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Water Quality
Fact Sheets
To ensure the public is informed about the latest developments and research related to the Ohio River's water quality, our website offers a comprehensive collection of informational fact sheets that address the water quality challenges of the Ohio River Basin. These fact sheets are designed to provide valuable insights and data as a resource for individuals and organizations interested in understanding the complexities of water quality issues in this vital waterway. Each fact sheet is accompanied by additional resources to enhance the reader's knowledge and facilitate further exploration of the topics presented.
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2024 Annual Report
We are thrilled to present an overview of ORSANCO's analysis and accomplishments for the fiscal year 2024, covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024! This year has been marked by outstanding initiatives and unwavering dedication focused on improving the health and sustainability of the Ohio River Basin. We invite you to explore the meaningful projects and successes that showcase our steadfast commitment to protecting this essential resource, ensuring the river remains vibrant for generations to come. Your interest and support play a crucial role in our mission, and together, we can continue to make a positive impact!
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Education is the key for leading communities to cherish and protect the invaluable watersheds that sustain us all! At the Foundation for Ohio River Education, we are genuinely excited to inspire individuals of all ages across the Ohio River Basin to embrace their roles as passionate environmental stewards. Our engaging, hands-on programs encourage participants to immerse themselves in the water and take an active stance in preserving the rich cultural, ecological, and economic treasures that our rivers provide.
While FORE is proudly affiliated with ORSANCO, we raise all program funds and rely on grants, corporate sponsorships, and the compassionate support of individuals like you to keep our mission afloat. Our endeavors are buoyed by the unwavering dedication of our volunteers and generous funders. So, why not make a splash? Click here to explore more about our Foundation, and consider lending your support—whether through a contribution or your time—this year. Together, we can make waves for a brighter, cleaner future!
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The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE) would like thank all of the volunteers and donors that aided in the success of The Ohio River Sweep program in 2024!
This year, our program cleaned throughout Ohio River Basin watershed including local creeks and tributaries, stopping the litter before it reached the Ohio River and beyond! Thanks to all that were a part of the solution to stop litter pollution at its source!
The Ohio River Sweep program is entirely funded through grant and corporate sponsorship, and driven by volunteer efforts. See below for sponsorship opportunities and become a sponsor for our 2025 Ohio River Sweep season!
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Life Below the Waterline
A 2,200 gallon mobile freshwater aquarium showcasing Ohio River fish!
Recap of the 2024 season:
- 4 events in Ohio and Kentucky
- 8,840 visitors
- 30 species caught and displayed
Dive into the vibrant world of our 2,200-gallon mobile freshwater aquarium, a stunning showcase of Ohio River fish that has captivated audiences throughout 2024!
With a remarkable recap of four engaging events held across Ohio and Kentucky, we welcomed an impressive 8,840 visitors who marveled at 30 unique species caught and displayed. Our commitment to enhancing the aquarium program remains, as we continually strive to improve our interactive educational displays and focus on extending funding for our programs to the communities that need it the most.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we can significantly reduce or even eliminate the costs associated with hosting these enriching experiences. Sponsorships play a vital role in covering aquarium supplies, maintenance, and staffing for events, allowing us to share the wonders of aquatic life with all. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Duke Energy Foundation for their invaluable support in 2024, enabling us to host two memorable events at no cost to attendees. Join us in this journey; click below to discover how you can partner with our program and help us make a splash in the community!
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Environmental Education Programs | |
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Get ready for an exhilarating educational adventure with FORE and BB Riverboats as we transform the River Queen into an extraordinary floating classroom and laboratory! Our River REACH program is a thrilling opportunity for students to dive into the world of applied STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—through engaging, hands-on activities like water quality monitoring, habitat assessments, and fascinating studies of aquatic life, including fish and macroinvertebrates that reveal the secrets of the river's health. Don't miss out—secure your class's spot for Spring programming in 2025 now! While our program currently sails exclusively in the greater Cincinnati area, we want to hear from you if you're eager to see us navigate to your region! Plus, for those looking for a unique twist, we also offer a condensed curriculum on canoes! Thanks to generous grant funding from Ohio EPA's Ohio Environmental Education Fund, select schools in Ohio with a free and reduced lunch rate of 50% or higher can participate at no cost from July 2023 to June 2024. Join us in this exciting journey of discovery and learning!
FORE is currently partnering with BB Riverboats to use the River Queen as a floating classroom and educational laboratory. The River REACH program engages students in applied STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines through hands-on water quality monitoring, habitat assessments, and studies of aquatic organisms, including fish and macroinvertebrates, that are used to study the health of the river system.
Enroll your class for Spring programming in 2025 today! Currently, this program is only offered in the greater Cincinnati region. However, please let us know if you would like to see us in your area too! This program is also offered on canoes with a condensed curriculum! This past year, grant funding through Ohio EPA's Ohio Environmental Education Fund fully covered the cost of select schools in Ohio with a free and reduced lunch rate of 50% or higher from July 2023-June 2024.
Visit our website and contact our Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator, Nick Callahan to learn more about this program and other environmental education programs we offer for students, teachers, and the general public.
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