Since 2011, the Elk River Alliance (ERA) has been conducting a community-based water monitoring (CBWM) program on Lizard Creek in Fernie, and Alexander Creek east of Sparwood.

This project engages local people to learn about the health of their streams and encourages them to take action both in the stream and on the streets. Through this volunteer-based program, we collect chemical, biological and physical data about Lizard and Alexander Creeks. The data is collected using provincial Streamkeepers and national Canadian Aquatic Biomontoring Network (CABIN) protocols. This will build water literacy, support stewardship projects and develop a strong sense of place.

Building water literacy creates an empowered community that can contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes. The CBWM program has shared data and received community input through numerous community engagement events since 2010. The public sees immense value in the water monitoring data gathered through this program, and community volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours since the 2011 pilot project on Lizard Creek.

The true value of this project lies in long-term data trends and identification of sites for community stewardship activities. The strength of the project is in uniting diverse stakeholders within the community in a common goal of caring for streams in the Elk River watershed.

We are seeking funding to continue this project in 2015 for spring water monitoring, a data sharing event and a restoration project on Alexander Creek.

Elk Valley residents deserve to know about the health of local water bodies to ensure that they remain drinkable, fishable and swimmable for future generations. Water quality is changing everyday as new activities and developments take place within the Elk River Watershed. It can be hard to prioritize stewardship activities without being aware of our local water quality.

The Elk River Alliance currently has a unique opportunity through the Small Change Fund, an organization that connects donors to innovative grassroots organizations to help fund community-based initiatives. The Small Change Fund will triple any donations made to Elk River Alliance’s community-based water monitoring program in the next two months.

For every $1 donated the Small Change Fund will donate $2. If you support the Elk River Alliance’s community-based water monitoring initiative, please consider donating today.

Lead image: A Streamkeeper volunteer tests dissolved oxygen.

Elk River Alliance

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