Given that the EPA finds 58.4% of rivers and streams on the Plains in poor condition, you should be at least a little concerned about water quality. For the last few years, East Dakota Water Development District has responded to that concern over the last few years with the Dakota Water Watch program. Program coordinator Jeremy Hinke says in a press release that in 2012, 50 active volunteers sampled 80 sites in 27 lakes and streams around eastern South Dakota for sediment and bacteria.
Now West Dakota Water Development District would like to join up and make this water quality monitoring program a statewide project. WDWDD is hosting an informational meeting on water monitoring on Wednesday, April 24th. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in Room 112 of the University Center Rapid City campus, 4300 Cheyenne Boulevard, south from I-90 Exit 61, in Rapid City. Dakota Water Watch specialist will tell folks about the relatively simple water monitoring methods used and look for volunteers to join the program and gather data on West River bodies of water.
I volunteered for this program for a few years on Lake Herman and enjoyed my monthly excursions into the lake. The work is relatively simple: you put on your waders or hop in your boat, measure water depth, check water clarity with a Secchi disk, look around the shore for wildlife and signs of possible pollution, and grab a couple water samples in a plastic bag to take to a local lab. It's not too tough, and it provides you, your neighbors, and policymakers with practical data about local water quality.
If you're interested in seeing just how good your West River water is, come to the West Dakota meeting April 24, 7:00 p.m., at the Rapid City University Center.
thanks for the info.