Participate in Water Quality Protection

• Steps to Become a Colorado River Watch Network Water Quality Monitor
• Information for those previously certified as water quality monitors by another program
• Learn More about Water Quality Monitoring and Colorado River Watershed Health

Steps to Become a CRWN Water Quality Monitor

Due to the popularity of the program, especially in the Austin metropolitan area, the Colorado River Watch Network (CRWN) typically has a waiting list.  We welcome all volunteers, but prioritize the publicly accessible areas with water quality data needs (see Help Wanted ad on the top right-hand side of this page).  The wait time may be as little as one month or up to two years.  Thank you for your interest and patience!  Here are the steps for becoming a certified CRWN volunteer water quality monitor:

1. Submit a CRWN volunteer application (requires Adobe Acrobat).  The application may be e-mailed to jacob.apodaca@lcra.org or sent to:
   Lower Colorado River Authority, Jacob Apodaca S416, 3700 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.
2. You will be contacted to discuss site locations, your monitoring interests, and to address any questions.  You may be invited to attend a demonstration hosted by an existing volunteer.
3. The waiting list is reviewed twice a year.  You will be contacted during that time period to see if you are still interested in waiting for an available slot.

   Volunteer monitor Tina Vick monitors the water quality of Wells Branch in Austin's Walnut Creek Park.

4. If a publicly accessible monitoring site becomes available in your area, you will be notified.  Certification requires a two-year commitment to monthly monitoring and a three phase training process:
    
   
   • Phase I:  Learn water quality monitoring methods in a hands-on classroom setting.  Testing procedures will be demonstrated and trainee(s) will be guided step-by-step as they conduct the tests.  Safety precautions are strongly emphasized.  Approximately 2 to 3 hours in length.  
   • Phase II:  Trainees conduct water quality tests alongside a Certified Trainer in a field setting.  The Trainer provides feedback and assistance while carefully observing the trainee's procedures.  Approximately 2 hours in length.
   • Phase III:  Testing is conducted by the trainee at the designated site where the volunteer will monitor water quality after becoming certified.  The Certified Trainer will observe and provide limited guidance.  Phase III certification usually takes 2 hours. 

Previous Certification as a Water Quality Monitor by Another Program

Each volunteer water quality monitoring program uses slightly different monitoring protocols to ensure the quality of collected data.  While training by any other agency/group is valuable, the Colorado River Watch Network program requires completion of all three phases of the CRWN training.  Please see the above section for instructions on how to get involved with water quality monitoring in the lower Colorado River watershed. 

Pedernales River at Pedernales Falls State Park