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Clean Waterways in Prince William County: Adopt-A-Stream/Pond/ River Program
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Some upcoming Water Quality Events
June 6 -PWSWCD Cost Share Demonstration Event @ 6 pm
August 17: Biological Water Quality Monitoring Certification
Sept 21: Upper Occoquan River Annual Cleanup (PWTSC)
Sept 24: 2024 Virginia Water Monitoring Council Conference
Oct. 9 & 10: Farm Field Days
Oct. 18 - 20: 2024 Chesapeake Watershed Forum
Nov 9: Bull Run Watershed Protectors Cleanup- COSTCO Area
Nov 16: Little Bull Run Watershed Cleanup
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Tracking Salt Runoff Events Under the Water Quality Monitoring Program
Tom Ligon, Master Naturalist
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The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District’s Water Quality Monitoring Program collects monthly chemical readings from streams and waterbodies in Prince William County, its towns, and cities. This program uses the Professional YSI Pro DSS Probe which includes conductivity, an indicator of dissolved salts.
Tom Ligon, a Certified Monitor under the program, wanted a way to track road chemicals entering the waterways after snow and ice events more frequently than the scheduled Conservation District's monthly YSI probe readings monitoring. He tried a cheap conductivity meter, which presented no temperature compensation and was grossly inaccurate. He then switched to an Extech EC100 (around $60-70). This left him with some amazing results. This meter is temperature-compensated and can be set up to duplicate the readings of a YSI Pro DSS almost perfectly. It is kept calibrated with YSI’s 1000 µS/cm fluid. It uses four-button batteries that may need replacement every year or two. The meter holds calibration well but will become inaccurate if the batteries run low.
The plot below shows the readings for January 2024 on Sumner Lake in Manassas. The first reading, Jan 7, was from the regular monthly reading. On Jan 17, there was heavy snow, and the City of Manassas and many homeowners applied ice control chemicals. Halite (rock salt) was visible on nearby streets. The two very high plots show the results from two primary inlet streams, which carry undiluted runoff from the streets and storm sewers. The remaining points are bulk lake water, including the lake outfall station at SLP-O (Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Cooperative Reference).
Results: Normal levels are around 200-300 µS/cm. Readings over 800 µS/cm are cause for concern. The high readings did not last long. However, this shows what can happen when road chemicals are applied.
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It is worth noting that the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District's Water Quality Program's mission is to promote clean water awareness in the community for future generations.
To be a Water Quality Monitor (chemical or biological), contact waterquality@pwswcd.org
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2024 Spotlight on Natural Resources in the National Capital Region:
Water Quality in Prince William Forest Park
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Benthic Macroinvertebrate Stress Metric from South Fork Quantico Creek, Prince William Forest Park (By Veronica Tangiri PWSWCD) | |
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The 2024 National Spotlight Event brought together scientists in the National Capital Region and beyond. They met at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia, to discuss, contribute, and support decision-making around natural resources, especially those in the National Captial Area.
The Prince William SWCD's Water Quality Program presented data and analysis on water quality data showing benthic macroinvertebrates stress levels in the South Fork of the Quantico Creek in Prince William Forest Park. This presentation also highlighted the importance of forest vegetation and why water quality in Prince William Forest Park is the benchmark of good water quality in Prince William County.
The analyzed results called for more research on natural resources in the area, and a good working relationship between the National Park Authority, and the local community.
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'Agriculture in Ecological Context' at Kutztown University with the Ecological Society of America (ESA) | With growing concerns around urban development, water quality, food security, and farming techniques, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) brought together scientists from universities, other establishments, the state and local governments, and the private sectors across the Mid-Atlantic region under the theme ' Agriculture in Ecological Context' at Kutztown University, Pennsylvania. | |
Promote Marine Debris Reduction in Prince William through Educational Awareness | |
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Join the Conservation District for Clean Waterways in the Neighborhoods!
Make a difference in the community by adopting a pond or waterway. Locate any site (orange color) on the map or propose any waterbody/wetland close to home and be part of the Conservation District's Adopt-A-Stream/Pond/River Program.
Click here: https://arcg.is/1SrPWa.
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Promote Science Data and Research with the 'Clean Swell' App!
Explore the Clean Swell App provided by Ocean Conservancy. Record your cleanup data from any location across the County.
To report your cleanup data under PWSWCD, get the free download "Clean Swell" App
Select Land Cleanup <Enter Group Name: 'PWSWCD'
Or report your data to:
waterquality@pwswcd.org
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- Promote Water Quality Awareness
- Request free cleanup supplies from the Conservation District
For more information, contact:
waterquality@pwswcd.org
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Water Quality Volunteers Make a Difference!
Together, We Can Make a Change!
To adopt a waterway,
Contact
waterquality@pwswcd.org
Video on Plastic Pollution Awareness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh4r15a-su4&t=15s
Marine Debris Project - Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District
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The County's First Trash Trap 'Bandalong' Needs A Monthly Cleanup | |
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Volunteers are needed!
Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month!
To support this great plastic and marine reduction tool in the Neabsco Creek Watershed, contact, Andrew Uglow at AUglow@pwcgov.org
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Chemical Monitoring Program | |
Volunteers under the Conservation District's Water Quality Program collect monthly data on conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, depth, and turbidity in Prince William County, towns, and cities. | |
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Want to be a Community Science Volunteers?
Support water quality data along the +1,100 miles of streams in Prince William County. This data goes to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as Tier II data and to the Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) database.
Collect water quality data from your interest in the community, backyard, or nearby stream. No bushwhacking is involved.
Did you know Prince William has about 1,100 miles of streams?
For all monitoring sites across Prince William County, visit: Chesapeake Data Explorer
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For more information, contact:
Veronica Tangiri, waterquality@pwswcd.org
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Be A Certified Biological Water Quality Monitor!
Start Your Training Here!
Join the Virginia Save Our Streams program and
support water quality awareness and clean drinking for the future generation!
Save Our Streams Certification (iwla.org)
Save the Date!
Field Protocol Certification in PWC - August 17
Contact: waterquality@pwswcd.org
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Green Algae or Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)?
Have concerns about strange greenish organisms in your nearby ponds or lakes?
Contact: waterquality@pwswcd.org
What are Cyanobacteria? (www.vdh.virginia.gov)
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2024 Volunteers' Appreciation Event by Volunteer Prince William | |
Photo: Representing Volunteers of Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District Volunteers with Mayor Derrick Wood of the Town of Dumfries (Guest Speaker) | |
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Representing the Belmont Bay Paddlers
(L-R): Mr./Mrs. Lau, Mayor Derrick Wood (Town of Dumfries), Veronica Tangiri (PWSWCD)
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Representing 'Friends of the Square' - Bull Run Watershed Protectors
(L-R) Mr. Eugene Brown, Veronica Tangiri (PWSWCD), Mayor Derrick Wood (Town of Dumfries)
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Thanks to Volunteer Prince William and the Northwest Federal Credit Union for appreciating community volunteers! | |
To All the Spring Cleanup Volunteers! | |
Adopt-A-Stream/Pond/ River Program | |
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- Adam's Family - Little Bull Run
- Aurora Flight Sciences- Cannon Branch
- Beckner Family-Occoquan Refuge
- Bae Systems, Bull Run - Bull Run
- Belmont Bay Paddlers, Belmont Bay
- Bull Run Watershed Protectors, -Bull Run
- Friends of Leesylvania State Park -Potomac River
- Friends Of Occoquan (FOTO)- Occoquan River
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church--Woodbridge VA
- "Kipp Hanley and Friends", Neabsco Creek
- Marumsco Watershed Conservancy - Marumsco Creek
- Micron Technology Inc - Cannon Branch, and Broad Run
- Prince William County Center Owners Association (Pond 662)
- Prince William Trials and Streams Coalition (PWTSC) - Neasbco Creek and Veteran's Park
- Prince Willian Service Authority (PWSA) Juliet Metz
- Sheffield Manor HOA - Broad Run
- Trash Trap Volunteers and WPCCA/PWTSC/ WPCCA,-Neabsco Creek
- Nokesville - Bristow Ruritan Club - Broad Run
- Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. - Rocky Branch
- Woodbridge Potomac Community Civic Association (WPCCA)- Neabsco Creek
- Woodard Family - Flat Branch
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Some Community Cleanup Results:
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Thanks to all our Sponsors and Partners! | |
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Thanks to all our Water Quality Monitoring Volunteers! | |
New Partner Under the Adopt-A-Stream/Pond /River Program! | |
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Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
To promote the Water Quality Program, contact:
waterquality@pwswcd.org
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The Soil and Water Conservation District Area II Spring Meeting in Orange Town, Virginia
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The Soil and Water Conservation Districts met at Orange Town, Virginia, to discuss the conservation goals of Conservation Districts in Area II. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Natural Resources and Conservations Service (NRCS) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) among other local agencies were all represented. | |
Some Upcoming Water Quality Events | |
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June 6th
PWSWCD Cost Share Demonstration Event
Time 6 pm @ Windy Knoll Farm, 11602 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville VA 20181
Join the Conservation District for a tour of some Cost Share Fencing and Buffers Projects developed in Prince William County.
The mission and work of the Conservation District will also be presented. Dinner will be served. Please, make sure to RSVP by June 4th.
To Register, follow this link:
Cost Share Demonstration Event RSVP - June 6 (google.com)
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August 17
Biological Water Quality Monitoring Field Certification Event
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Become a certified biological monitor and support water quality data in local streams in Prince William County, towns, and cities.
This field protocol certification will be for those who have completed the online training: https://www.iwla.org/water/stream-monitoring/upcoming-water-monitoring-workshops/save-our-streams-certification
For more information, contact Veronica Tangiri waterquality@pwswcd.org
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September 21 (Save the date!)
Upper Occoquan River Annual Cleanup (PWTSC)
Several put-in and take-out locations in PWC
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To register for this event, please, visit: www.pwtsc.org | |
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September 24
2024 Virginia Water Monitoring Conference
Location: Virginia Public Safety Training Facility, Knox Hall
7093 Broad Neck Rd, Hanover, VA 23069
Join this year's Water Monitoring Conference to discuss more about water quality issues in Virginia.
For registration information, visit: www.VirginiaWMC.org.
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October 9 & 10
2024 Farm Field Days!
Location: Prince William County Fairground
Volunteers Needed!
Join the Conservation District for another year of conservation education and experience with students from Prince William County Schools.
For more information, contact Kim Lowther at education@pwswcd.org
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Thanks again for making a difference!
Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District is funded by Prince William County Public Works Department, Stormwater Management Branch, and through financial and administrative assistance provided by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
Programs, activities, and employment opportunities are available to all people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or political affiliation. Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
PWSWCD, 8850 Rixlew Lane, Manassas, VA 20109, Ph.: 571-379-7514, Fax: 571-379-8305
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