Get Involved:

2008 Volunteer Monitoring Projects!

Volunteers are helping Clark County conduct several short-term monitoring and stream characteristic studies as part of the county's Stormwater Needs Assessment Program (SNAP). Volunteers are also involved in long term lake monitoring. Volunteers learn how to sample streams and lakes for chemical, biological, and physical indicators of watershed health.

The high quality data collected is used by county resource managers and other agencies. Over the past five years, the monitoring program has proven that volunteer-collected data are accurate, objective and worthwhile.

Volunteers can also design their own projects with the help of Clark County's Monitoring Resource Center and county staff. To learn more or to participate in 2008 volunteer monitoring projects, contact Chad Hoxeng at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4018 or email chad.hoxeng@clark.wa.gov

Learn more about Clean Water Program Volunteer Monitoring Projects >>

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2008 Volunteer Projects:

Salmon Creek Focused Assessment: A year-long study focusing on six Salmon Creek tributaries - Tenny Creek, Cougar Creek, Suds Creek, 114th Street Creek, Lalond Creek, and Rockwell Creek. The purpose of the study is to identify where further field work may be needed to find and remove bacteria sources

Morgan Creek Water Quality Assessment: Morgan and Mud Creeks will be sampled to gather baseline water quality data for these previously untested streams. One year study, collecting samples once a month accompanied by county staff.

Lake Monitoring: Collect water quality samples from Vancouver and Lacamas lakes as an ongoing assessment of general water quality conditions in May through October.

Macroinvertebrate Sampling: Benthic macroinvertebrates (stream dwelling insects and crustaceans) are an excellent tool for assessing overall stream health. Samples will be collected from various county streams in September and October. Volunteers receive field training and carry out activities with Clean Water Program staff.

Coming Soon:

2008 Stormwater Needs Assessment

Look for the 2008 Stormwater Needs Assessment Program (SNAP) scope of work on the Clean Water Program Web pages mid-March 2008. Reports from the 2007 SNAP will be available mid-April.

SNAP activities assess watershed resources, identify problems and opportunities, and recommend specific actions to help meet the Clean Water Program mission of protecting water quality through stormwater management.

Sub-watersheds scheduled for assessment in 2008 include two in Salmon Creek, one in Burnt Bridge Creek, 17 in the East Fork Lewis River and two in the Vancouver Lake-Lake River area.

New!

Real-time data available on the Web

Provisional real-time stream and precipitation data from 14 Clark County monitoring stations is now available on Clark County's Web pages. Historical flow and precipitation data is also available for water years 2003 through 2006.

Flow data
Precipitation data

Clean Water Tip:

Do something good for water this spring

Spring and yard work are just around the corner. Make a commitment to protect our water by eliminating or reducing your use of fertilizers and weed killers in your yard and follow product application amounts.

To learn how to have a great yard with less chemicals, check out Clark County's Naturally Beautiful Backyard Program >>

Opportunities to learn....

Workshops for rural and not so rural landowners:

Recycle the Rain! - Rain Barrel Workshop:
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $35 to cover materials

Build your very own RAIN BARREL with the WSU Extension Watershed Stewards. It's a great way to store water for those special plants or your vegetable garden and yet another way that you can protect your water resources.

We’ll also share information on rain gardens and native plants. Sponsored by the Clean Water Program and WSU Clark County Extension

This class fills up quickly so don’t delay! Call WSU Clark County Extension TO REGISTER AND PRE-PAY: 360-397-6060 Ext. 0 or email jenifer.naas@clark.wa.gov for more information.

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Manure Management Workshop
Thursday, March 20, 2008, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

FREE - Own livestock? Wondering what to do with that manure pile? Come to this workshop and learn how to turn that manure mountain into a mole hill and protect water quality at the same time. Sponsored by the Clean Water Program and WSU Clark County Extension

Call WSU Clark County Extension TO REGISTER: 360-397-6060 Ext. 0 or email erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov for more information.

Small Farm Tour
Saturday, March 22, 2008, 10:00

Tour a local model horse farm along Salmon Creek and see what the owners have done to improve drainage, reduce mud and manage manure. Get ideas you can apply to your own property. Sponsored by the Clean Water Program, WSU Clark County Extension, and Clark Conservation District.

Call WSU Clark County Extension TO REGISTER: (360) 397-6060 Ext. 0 or email erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov for more information.

Future workshops - Call WSU Clark County Extension at (360) 397-6020 ext. 7720 for information or visit the Small Acreage Program Web site:
- Mud Reduction and Drainage - May 15, 2008
- Pasture Management and Grazing - August 21, 2008

Clean Water Program

Established in 2000, the Clean Water Program helps improve water quality in Clark County through education, storm sewer cleaning and maintenance, pollutant source screening, stormwater facility upgrades, stream habitat restoration projects and development and enforcement of improved stormwater regulations.

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