According to the State Water Resources Control Board's Clean Water Team , Citizen Monitoring is defined as any monitoring activity that relies in whole or in part on participation by volunteers, students or non-paid staff. Citizen Water Quality Monitoring is monitoring of lakes, streams, rivers and waterbodies by citizen volunteers within the community who are interested in watershed protection. Citizen Monitoring can consist of visual and habitat assessment, chemical monitoring and biological assessment. Visual monitoring usually includes stream walks and photo documentation, both of which aid in documenting physical attributes of a waterway such as barriers to fish passage. Chemical monitoring, or water chemistry, can consist of monitoring for pH, temperature, conductivity, etc.
Biological monitoring involves monitoring for macroinvertebrates.
What to monitor can vary greatly among groups, depending on the purpose for monitoring and the resources available to groups. The Role of RCDs in Citizen Monitoring RCDs are in a unique position to promote citizen monitoring by their involvement in restoring and preserving watersheds. RCDs work closely with interested citizens and landowners on a grassroots level. With the new State Watershed Coordinator program now in place, RCDs can pursue active involvement in water quality monitoring. Although goals and methods of various monitoring programs differ, all monitors share a commitment to clean water and quality data.