The 2007 Watershed Snapshot will be held from April 20-29 in Pennsylvania and around the United States and you and your watershed group or organization are invited to participate by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Watershed Snapshot is a survey of Pennsylvania's water bodies and watersheds that happens every year around Earth Day. This year DEP will focus on gathering data from April 20-29, but the database will accept data for a two-week window of time before and after those dates.

Participants may assess any stream in the state, using whatever monitoring tools they have. If you have no monitoring tools, many things can simply be observed and reported.

Watershed Snapshot 2007 has undergone some major changes. The changes DEP made to Watershed Snapshot will make the information more accessible and will streamline the reporting process. There will be no mass mailings of reminder cards or participation packets. All information, including field data sheets, is available on the DEP Watershed Snapshot webpage.

To participate and to get your field sheets, go to the website and click on the “Snapshot Participation” box, which is on the top of the menu on the left side of the screen. Next, click on “Field sheets” and download and print the forms. Then go to any water body to study and complete as much of the information as you wish.

Remember, there is no need to do all of the testing and measuring listed on the form. You decide what to test, measure, and observe based on the time and equipment you have available! All data is welcome!

Later, to enter the information collected, go back to the website and click on the “Snapshot Participation” box, and then on “database”. Within 30 days after collecting the information you should enter your findings into the simple database! DEP will use your data to develop a summary report, which will be posted on the same website at a later date.

If you have questions, contact the Citizens’ Volunteer Monitoring Program at 717-772-5807. If you have trouble entering data into the database, you may mail your forms and photos to DEP at: Snapshot - CVMP, P.O.Box 8555, Harrisburg PA 17105-8555.

For more information, visit the Watershed Snapshot webpage.

3/16/2007