Volunteer Timothy Ryan collects water samples from Bay City’s Riverside Park. Ryan has reliably submitted water quality data from the park every month for four years. Professional and volunteer data is used to produce LCRA’s monthly State of the River report, so it’s important that each location is supported by at least two volunteers.

If so, you might want to consider becoming a trained volunteer water-quality monitor for LCRA's Colorado River Watch Network. LCRA currently is looking for volunteer monitors at Beason’s Park in Columbus, Riverside Park in Bay City, and Wharton’s Riverfront Park.

Monitors regularly collect water quality data and report the information to LCRA staff. Monitors who can commit to monthly monitoring for a minimum of two years receive training, equipment and materials to do the work. The information is used for such purposes as a monthly water quality index report that ranks the health of the Colorado River. 

Monitors also serve as early-warning messengers, pointing out potential problems so they can be addressed before they become serious. In addition, many river-watch participants also have been active in their communities hosting cleanups, and conducting water-quality demonstrations at public events as well as volunteer recruitment.

LCRA adopted the Colorado River Watch Network (CRWN) in 1992. The network has grown into a sophisticated system of more than 100 certified volunteer monitors at 100 sites along the Colorado River. 

If you are interested in becoming a River Watch monitor, contact Robin Berry at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2416 or robin.berry@lcra.org. You can read more on the Colorado River Watch Network online at www.lcra.org/water/quality/crwn/index.html.