Title:

G92-CM-01 LWQA-Citizen's Monitoring

Sponsor:

University of Missouri - Columbia/Jones

Project Manager:

Dr. J.R. Jones
Office of Sponsored Program Administration
310 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-3543
JonesJ@Missouri.edu

Project Period:

11/1/1991 - 4/30/2000

319 Grant Funds:

$324,458

Project Description:

LWQA-Citizen's Monitoring

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

During the past decade research by the University of Missouri has documented water quality characteristics of Missouri reservoirs and quantified major factors regulating water quality. An important need of the program is to collect a long-term data set that can identify whether lake resources are improving or degrading over time.

In 1991 the University of Missouri initiated a citizen monitoring program in which local volunteers collect water quality data and water samples from reservoirs throughout the state in conjunction with the larger statewide assessment. Lay volunteers have been trained by University personnel to collect data on surface water temperature and lake transparency. Volunteers also collect water samples which they process for measurement of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, algal chlorophyll and suspended solids (total, non-volatile and volatile). Analytical tests for these parameters are conducted at the University. In addition, volunteers document activities on the lakes and their watersheds. Observations and samples are collected every three weeks during April through October for a total of eight samples per lake. This level of sampling effort is desired to characterize lake water quality during summer.

PRODUCTS AND OBJECTIVES

As part of the program the University of Missouri assumes a role in education and technical assistance as related to lake water quality. The University has prepared sampling equipment for each of the citizen volunteers to use in the field and home laboratory. Training sessions are conducted on how to collect and store water samples and each volunteer is given a video that details laboratory procedures. There are currently 17 lakes involved in the program.

This two-part project of statewide assessment and volunteer monitoring has been funded with an allocation through the Clean Lakes program in the past; however, Clean Lakes funding for FY 95 and FY 96 is zero. The plan was to build the program to the point where most of the major reservoirs in the state were being sampled by volunteers. The program has the dual benefit of virtually eliminating the cost of field collections and benefiting the DNR and the University through outreach. Funding is being sought through a variety of
avenues in an effort to keep this important program alive.

This project is also funded in part from the FY94-319 grant.

PROJECT SPONSOR

Curators of the University of Missouri-Columbia

COOPERATING AGENCY

Lake Citizens

CONTACT

University of Missouri-Columbia
Office of Sponsored Programs
310 Jesse Hall
Columbia, Mo. 65211
Dr. J.R. Jones 573-882-3543