Hello Watershed Volunteers,
As we transition to autumn, we are shifting our schedule to include more restoration projects and less monitoring projects. We are so thankful for all that have been out throughout the summer to be eyes and ears for our streams by testing nutrient levels and identifying macroinvertebrate and fish species. We will keep some monitoring efforts going as long as the water is flowing. But we look forward to having you part of more restoration efforts this fall to keep improving our great Lake Erie watershed.
Thank you all for everything you do to protect our watersheds!
Thanks,
Lisa Meranti
Watershed Volunteer Program Coordinator
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WVP stewards and Mike Durkalec identifying fish in Beecher's Brook | September 2021
[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks staff]
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Watershed Stories: The Secchi Disk |
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A Secchi disk lowered in to water to measure transparency. | 2016
[Image credit: Mountain Lake Community Association and Watershed Advisory Group]
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To effectively gather data about our watersheds, volunteers and staff are trained to use different types of tools and equipment. When collecting water quality data, we like to observe the transparency of the water that can be affected by sediment, algae, and the color of the water itself. A tool commonly used to determine water transparency is called a Secchi disk.
The Secchi disk has an 8-inch diameter and is divided into alternating black and white quadrants. When attached to a rope, the Secchi disk is lowered into a body of water until it is no longer visible to the observer. The point at which it isn't visible is the Secchi depth or the depth of disappearance.
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Italian astronomer, Pietro Angelo Secchi, was the first person to use the Secchi disk to measure water transparency in the Mediterranean sea in 1865. The Secchi disk was first used in the state of Ohio in 1994 as part of a pilot study created by Kent State University researchers to examine regional changes in water transparency.
As of today, citizen science volunteers have helped collect over 41,000 records of Secchi disk data in over 7,000 separate water bodies as part of the North American Lake Management Society’s (NALMS) Secchi Dip-In program. Many states have developed their own Secchi dip-in programs or have made slight modifications to the NALMS program. In 2007, the Ohio Lake Management Society (OLMS) created the Citizen Lake Awareness and Monitoring (CLAM) program to collect water transparency data for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA).
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Secchi Dip-In Founders (L) Bob Carlson, (M) Dave Waller, and (R) Jay Lee
[Image credit: North American Lake Management Society]
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WVP stewards planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses in bioretention cells at Brookside Reservation parking lot | September 2021
[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks staff]
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Green Infrastructure Maintenance @ West Creek Reservation
Thu, Sept 16, 10 a.m. - noon
Native Planting @ Mill Stream Run Reservation
Mon, Sept 20, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Macroinvertebrate Monitoring* @ North Chagrin Reservation
Wed, Sept 22, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Green Infrastructure Maintenance @ Huntington Reservation
Wed, Sept 22, noon - 2:00 p.m.
Green Infrastructure Maintenance @ West Creek Reservation
Fri, Sept 24, 2 - 4 p.m.
Monday MeetUp: Restoration with NEORSD @ Garfield Reservation
Mon, Sept 27, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Tree Care* @ Euclid Creek Reservation
Thu, Sept 30, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
*Open to the public
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The City Club of Cleveland: 2021 State of the Great Lakes | Watch here*
Cleveland Metroparks: Digital Emerald Necklace | Read and watch here
Cleveland Water Alliance: Erie Hack | Click here* for all of the details on this competition designed to spawn solutions to Lake Erie's greatest challenges. Kick-off is tomorrow, Sept 16.
Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative and the Ohio Sea Grant: Fish Health on the Farm | Join this virtual webinar* at 4 p.m. on Wed, Sep 22 to learn about how you can identify, prevent and treat fish problems related to agriculture
Sustainable Cleveland 2021 Virtual Summit | Details here
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*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S:L) Conference/Symposium/Workshop/Webinar/Tour by Sep 30.
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Photo Monitoring Challenge |
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Want to help document different stream restoration projects with Cleveland Metroparks? Check out Chronolog, an online software to document restoration progress through time-lapse.
To participate:
- Take a photo with your phone at a site station
- Email the photo to the address listed on the station sign
- Enter the site ID in the subject line
- Record your time as a WVP monitoring independent project
More information about Chronolog can be found here.
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Chronolog Station at Bonnie Park.
[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks Staff]
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Cuyahoga County Lakefront Is Now Officially The Lake Erie Water Trail | Read on
Spotted Lanternfly Population Found Near Cleveland | Read on
Jellyfish in Ohio and Kentucky? They May Be Spotted in Ponds and Rivers, Wildlife Officials Say. | Read on
The SCUBAnauts Enjoy Their First Great Lakes Dive in Alpena, MI | Read on
Forget Massive Seawalls; Coastal Wetlands Offer the Best Storm Protection Money Can Buy | Read on
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Paddlers and kayakers get out on the OFFICIAL Lake Erie Water Trail during a ceremony at Wendy Park.
[Photo Credit: Taylor Haggerty / Ideastream Public Media]
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NOWCorps Member Positions
Various Organizations Across Northern Ohio | Apply here
Manager Of Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District - Cuyahoga Heights, OH | Apply here
Environmental Project Manager
Independence Excavating - Independence, OH | Apply here
Northeast Ohio Restoration Manager
The Nature Conservancy - Brecksville, OH | Apply here
Wastewater Preventative Maintenance
Lake County Department of Utilities - Mentor, OH | Apply here
District Educator/Technician
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship
Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve - Huron, OH | Apply here
Watershed Specialist (Temporary - Two Years)
Licking County Soil & Water Department - Newark, OH | Apply here
Industrial Monitoring and Laboratory Chief
City Department of Utilities - Lima, OH | Apply here
Community and Social Engagement Coordinator (Part Time)
Watershed Project Manager
Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District - Fort Wayne, IN | Apply here
Stormwater Outreach Coordinator
City Stormwater Office - Charleston, SC | Apply here
Fully Funded Ph.D. Position: Urban Hydrology and Geospatial Analysis
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, TX | Apply here
Research Scientist//Field & Laboratory Technician//Grant & Proposal Specialist
Eco-Track Services -- Walla Walla, WA | Apply here
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