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Over the past two summers over 100 Stream Walk volunteers have completed
visual water quality assessments along the Farmington River Main Stem and
its tributaries to uncover where pollution is entering the River, and where
restoration is needed.
Surveys have been conducted in the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted,
Bloomfield, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington,
Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, Norfolk, Plainville, Plymouth, Simsbury,
Torrington, Winchester, and Windsor. During the months of July and August,
volunteers work in teams to gather resource information on their segments
from within the streambed and along the stream banks.
Trained volunteers will observe and document: 1) changes in water
appearance, 2) riparian disturbances or a lack of effective stream buffers,
3) existing and changing land uses particularly within the first 100 feet
next to the River, 4) locations of all outlets and pipes for storm water
drainage and other discharges, and 5) any other visual indicators of water
impairment (color, smell, etc.).
This project would not be possible without the generous support of the
Farmington River Coordinating Committee – the management group for the Wild
& Scenic section of the Upper Farmington River and a Section 319 Non-Point
Source Grant from the CT DEP.
The data is being used to work with local communities to identify conservation and resource protection strategies. If you are interested in learning more about natural resources of the Farmington River Watershed and in helping to find ways to protect those resources, then you will want to join us for our next training session in June of 2007. You can also review FRWA's Quality Assurance Project Plan written in 2004 to ensure the consistent delivery of this program over time.
Bacteria in the Farmington River
Stream Walks
Aquatic Insect Monitoring
Waste Water Monitoring
What Can You Do?
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