Director's Notes
October 2009
Dear StreamWatch Community,
This fall we are beginning to analyze data collected over the past 2½ years for our Land Use Study. The study covers fifty sites on streams draining a diverse array of landscapes ranging from urban to suburban to rural to wild. The data include our traditional “bug” samples, and also sedimentation, stream geometry, and stream corridor habitat data. At the landscape scale we will use data about forest cover, impervious surfaces, agricultural uses, and more.
We expect that comparing stream conditions to land use and land cover in streams’ catchments will help us understand “how much” land disturbance streams can absorb before experiencing certain levels of degradation. We also expect the study will help private landowners and public stewards to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of various management options. The report will be released in late spring of 2010.
This and other StreamWatch efforts are made possible by the steadfast contributions of volunteers. On behalf of Rivanna streams and rivers, please join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to these generous, forward-thinking citizens.
Sincerely,
John Murphy
Director, StreamWatch