Hoosier Riverwatch is a state-sponsored water quality monitoring initiative. Riverwatch was started in Indiana to increase public awareness of water quality issues and concerns by training volunteers to monitor stream water.

*Educate the public about the relationship between land use and water quality.

*Provide water quality information to citizens and government officials working to protect Indiana's rivers and streams.

*Increase public involvement in water quality issues by training volunteers in stream monitoring and clean-up activites.

Trend monitoring is the primary testing method used by Riverwatch. To get an accurate picture of a stream's water quality, tests have to be performed on a regular basis, over a period of years. Trend monitoring provides a broad view of the stream allowing the seasonal variations to be sorted out from long-term changes. In order to get useful data for trend analysis, a group should consider the long-term commitment involved in this type of monitoring.*

* Information was taken from The Hoosier Riverwatch Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Streams Manual.

Testing is done in three areas: biological, chemical, physical.

For more information on the Hoosier Riverwatch program and how to become a participant contact Lyn Hartman at:

Science teacher, Tami Geltmaker, and concervation officer, Terry Allen, are involved in the Riverwatch program. Also involved are the 3rd and 7th period college prep Biology clases of Crawford County High School