| The Stream Monitoring Information Exchange (SMIE) was formed in 2003 to increase regional communication and collaboration on water quality issues, and to develop strategies for increasing public involvement in improving regional water quality. We are dedicated volunteers, professionals and representatives of over a dozen non-profit organizations, educational institutions and state and federal agencies in western NC. The SMIE has general meetings about 3 times per year, which are open to the public and typically include a presentation on a water quality topic.
To accomplish our goals, the SMIE has created a program to train volunteers to perform standardized biological (benthic macroinvertebrate) water quality monitoring in Western NC. The sample method is specifically designed to closely mimic NC Div. of Water Quality (DWQ) collection techniques to facilitate more precise comparisons between SMIE and DWQ data than is possible with more basic volunteer biological monitoring methods. However, this method is still easy to follow for volunteers with no prior experience in stream monitoring. Our volunteers range from college professors and high school teachers to students and concerned members of the community.
Volunteers currently monitor over 2 dozen sites in Haywood, Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, and Mitchell counties on a regular basis (2 times per year, spring and fall). Group Leaders with advanced training in sampling methods and identification techniques assist with coordination and lead volunteer groups during monitoring events. Beyond macroinvertebrate identification, our volunteers are trained to identify threats to water quality and how to report potential violations to the appropriate agencies. Several SMIE volunteers are now acting as leaders in their communities where sediment and other pollution is becoming an increasing problem.
Volunteer stream monitoring data is being increasingly used by government agencies for planning and review purposes. SMIE sample sites overlap with VWIN (UNCA volunteer chemical monitoring) sites to provide an additional layer of data to water quality analysis. Data from SMIE volunteers is now being incorporated into the annual VWIN reports for Haywood, Buncombe, and Madison counties, which is referenced in DWQ’s Basinwide Assessment and Basinwide Water Quality Plan for the French Broad River Basin. SMIE data is also being shared directly with DWQ’s Biological Assessment Unit to potentially help identify problem streams (so they can be added to the 303d-Impaired Streams-list), or to identify “outstanding resource waters” for additional protections.
This project provides a real opportunity to increase public awareness of water quality issues, and provide opportunities to participate in water quality monitoring and reporting potential threats. We’re delighted by the outstanding interest in the program, even outside our region, and grateful for the excellent work of our partnering organizations, aquatic biologists, and all of the great volunteers.
To find out more about volunteering, or our regular meetings, call Clean Water for NC at 828-251-1291 or e-mail info@cwfnc.org Special thanks to the Pigeon River Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and other donors who have made the SMIE volunteer monitoring program a success!
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