The Brodhead Watershed Association in Monroe County is looking for volunteers to help protect the pristine waters in the Poconos by becoming trained Streamwatchers.

The BWA is holding two upcoming Streamwatch Training sessions where the public can learn how monitor stream quality and report findings back to the BWA.

The volunteer Streamwatch Program is BWA’s first and longest-running program, enlisting the help of over 50 volunteers from the community.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer Streamwatcher must complete a training session on either March 19, from 7-8:30 p.m. or March 21 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The trainings will be held at St Paul's United Church in Swiftwater, PA and will be led by BWA members Tom Salmon and Ellen Davis.

Volunteer Streamwatchers take a monthly “snapshot” of the stream designated to them. They check water levels, water and air temperature, pH value, the physical condition of streams and banks, plus nitrate and phosphate levels. Streamside time is approximately 10 minutes; at-home testing is approximately a half hour per site.

Streams include the Cherry, Paradise, McMichaels, Upper and Lower Brodhead, Pocono, and Marshalls Creek, plus their many tributaries that collectively make up the Brodhead watershed.

For more information, please contact the Brodhead Watershed Association at 570-839-1120 or by email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.

2/16/2015