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Programs < Adopt-A-Stream
Georgia Adopt -A- Stream (AAS) is housed in the Non-Point Source Pollution Program in the Water Protection Branch of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. It is a unique effort to involve the public and local communities in water quality assessment and protection. The program increases public awareness of local water resources and builds partnerships to protect our most precious resource-water.
- increase public awareness of the state's nonpoint source pollution and water quality issues
- provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways
- encourage partnerships between citizens and their local government
- collect quality baseline water quality data
There are 52 major watersheds throughout Georgia and more than 40 community/watershed programs that organize AAS groups in their area. These local programs are funded by their local governments and nonprofit organizations such as the Georgia Wildlife Federation. The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program has more than 7,000 volunteers with 225 active groups collecting data throughout Georgia. The Georgia Wildlife Federation has been an active partner in Adopt-A-Stream since 1996, monitoring sites along Cornish Creek, a tributary of the Alcovy River on a quarterly basis.
Georgia Adopt- A- Stream provides manuals, training, and technical support through Georgia EPD, 5 AAS Regional Training Centers, and the more than 40 established community/watershed programs. The Georgia Wildlife Federation is one of the nonprofit organizations that provides training and guidance for volunteers that are interested in the AAS program. Volunteers are encouraged to conduct biological and chemical monitorings of their adopted body of water. Free workshops are provided by the Georgia Wildlife Federation and other organizations throughout the state.
Since the fall of 1996, GWF volunteers have monitored Cornish Creek, a tributary of the Alcovy River, on a quarterly basis. Participants have a wonderful time wading in the stream and identifying the critters caught in their nets. For more information on GWF's Adopt-A-Stream project, contact 770-787-7887. To learn how to monitor a stream in your community, contact Georgia Adopt-A-Stream. See the GWF Calendar for upcoming monitorings and workshops.
Volunteers that participate in the workshops will become Quality Assurance Certified (QA/QC). The data from QA/QC volunteers will become official state data and is posted on the AAS database for statewide use.
Biological monitoring assess the water quality and habitat of stream life. The diversity of macroinvertebrates in a stream indicates its overall health. There are 24 different macroinvertebrates generally found in healthy Georgia streams, with some being more sensitive to pollution than others.
Chemical monitoring of an adopted stream consists of testing for temperature, pH level, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, nitrates, alkalinity, and settleable solids. The water temperature affects the feeding, metabolism, and reproduction of aquatic fauna. The pH measures the acidity of the water and dissolved oxygen is needed to determine aquatic respiration. An excess of phosphates and nitrates may lead to increased plant growth which depletes oxygen. The alkalinity test measures the water's capacity to neutralize acids due to moderate pollution and soil runoff. An excess of large sediments in water blocks sunlight and blocks the gills of aquatic animals and leads to erosion. Sediments, which is the largest source of pollution of streams and rivers in Georgia, can also carry harmful bacteria, metals, and excess nutrients, which upsets the natural balance of aquatic life.
Newton County Adopt-A-Stream
Newton County Adopt-A-Stream Data
Official Adopt-A-Stream website www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org
Other information on rivers and stream monitoring available at
www.riversalive.org
Georgia Project WET www.GAProjectWET.org
See the GWF Calendar for Upcoming Events
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Adopt-A-Stream
