Alpine group watches the county's waters

In 2001, individuals from Alpine County began meeting monthly to discuss how to collaborate around watershed management. Thus began the work of the Alpine Watershed Group. In 2004 the group joined the 772 other volunteer monitoring groups in the United States in starting a Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program. The group became an official non-profit organization in 2006.

What is a watershed? It is any area of land that drains into one creek or lake. The broader definition includes everything in the drainage basin, the concept being that everything is connected. The five watersheds within Alpine County are the headwaters of the Carson, Mokelumne, Stanislaus, American and Upper Truckee Rivers.

The intention of the Alpine Watershed Group is to bring together stakeholders, partners, landowners, local organizations and members of the community for the sake of watershed stewardship. The group helps to facilitate communication and planning with other goups and agencies concerned with natural resource management issues. Those attending the monthly meetings include representatives of the Forest Service, Washoe Tribe, Alpine County, Lahontan Water Quality Control Board, and the Carson Water Subconservancy District.

The group is funded by grants from the California Deparment of Conservation, the Carson Water Subconservancy District, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and contributions from individuals. The County gives in-kind assistance such as providing an office and meeting space and acting as the Group's fiscal agent. The group is a volunteer-based organization with only one staff member-Watershed Coordinator, Sarah Green.

The functions of the Alpine Watershed Group include:

n Education of the community in awareness of watershed health. Creek Days have been held annually for the past eight years in late September, when community members gather to learn about local watershed issues and work on creek restoration projects such as trash clean-up and willow planting; other outreach efforts involve working with schools and youth groups.

n Restoration Projects which protect streams, meadows and uplands. Members of the group work to stabilize stream banks and reduce sedimentation which harms fish habitat; they re-establish riparian vegetation (eg. aspen, dogwood, willows) to increase habitat for aquatic invertebrates, native fisheries and migratory birds. Ongoing projects include the restoration of the Markleeville Forest Service Guard Station site and stream bank stabilization projects along the West Fork of the Carson River in Hope Valley.

n Water Quality Monitoring. Every three months at the same time on a Saturday morning, 16 trained volunteers go to eight stations to conduct chemical water testing. Results of the tests can show changes which may indicate pollution or other disturbances in the environment. Jim Dunn, one of the volunteers lent me his copy of "Sierra Citizen: Water Quality Monitor." I found the descriptions of the tests and their purposes fascinating; I shall summarize the information here:

a. Air temperature.

b. Water temperature.

This is one of the most important water quality tests.

Aquatic organisms from microbes to fish depend on a certain temperature range to live. Temperature effects the oxygen content of the water (levels drop as the temperature is increased) the rate of photosynthesis of aquatic plants, the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, and the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites and diseases. If water temperatures are outside optimal range for a prolonged period of time, organisms are stressed and can die. Natural and human factors effect water temperatures.

c. pH. Different organisms flourish within different ranges of pH, a measure of water acidity. The largest variety of aquatic animals prefer a range of 6.5-8.0. Water outside this range can reduce reproduction. Low pH can also allow toxic elements and compounds to become mobile and available for aquatic plants and animals. Changes in acidity may result from acid rain, surrounding rock and certain wastewater discharges.

d. Conductivity. This is the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. Most aquatic life tolerates a range of conductivity. Conductivity will vary with the water source such as ground water, water drained from agricultural fields, municipal waste water and rainfall. Therefore conductivity can indicate groundwater leakage or a sewage leak.

e. Dissolved oxygen. Aquatic species require a variety of levels of oxygen. Low levels of oxygen in the water may result in the death of certain species. If organic matter (eg. algae) or waste (eg. septic leaks) is present in the water bacteria feed on the decaying material. They use up the oxygen and produce carbon dioxide in the water.

f. Turbidity. This is a measure of water clarity. Turbidity can be useful as an indicator of the effects of runoff from construction, agricultural practices, logging activity and discharges.

Alpine Watershed Group meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Sarah Green at (530) 694-2327.

Thanks to Sarah Green, John Barr and Jim Dunn.