Description
The Keystone Water Resources Center (KWRC) monitors surface and groundwater resources at 33 sites across the Spring Creek watershed. This data helps the community make informed decisions that protect our drinking water and famous fishery for generations. In this session, KWRC will discuss the history of the Spring Creek Water Resources Monitoring Project, explain current threats to the creek, and teach field methods for measuring water quality and quantity in Slab Cabin Run (a tributary of Spring Creek). Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the Stroud Water Resources Center’s Salt Snapshot Event by testing water samples collected from streams across Centre County for road salt pollution.
This stream site has partial shelter, mostly under a bridge. We encourage you to dress according to the weather, which will likely be chilly in late October. Participants do not need to get into the water to participate in the salt snapshot, but you are welcome to bring waders if you want to help collect flow measurements in the stream.
Why is this important?
Chloride is a naturally occurring element and commonly occurs as a part of salt compounds (think of table salt or the type you apply to melt ice on a sidewalk). Chloride can become a problem when concentrations rise to levels harmful to aquatic life and may adversely affect drinking water taste. For our freshwater watershed, the upper threshold is around 230 mg/L. Salt is easily washed from roadways during rain events or snowmelt. It enters surface waters directly or percolates into groundwater. Chloride is not naturally broken down, taken up, or removed from the environment. Contaminated freshwater can cause respiratory issues for aquatic organisms and increase the availability of heavy metals that could poison fish and plant species.
About Keystone Water Resources Center:
The Keystone Water Resources Center (KWRC) is a publicly funded, nonprofit citizen-scientist organization led by a volunteer board of directors. KWRC is the responsible entity for the Spring Creek Water Resources Monitoring Project (WRMP). Established in 1997 by the Spring Creek Watershed Association, the project aims to gather baseline information on the quantity and quality of water resources in the Spring Creek Watershed through continuous monitoring. This allows local government, authorities, and organizations to track the watershed’s quality and characteristics over time and make informed decisions to protect these resources as demand continues to increase.
Parking Details
Park at the College Township Municipal Offices, where we’ll have our welcome table set up. From there, it’ll be a short walk to the demonstration stream site (Slab Cabin Run).
Reschedule Policy
Because of the frequency and nature of our wellness sessions, adventure hikes, and guided outings, we are unable to reschedule these events. For special-topic programs, we will make every effort to reschedule when possible. If a special-topic event is postponed, participants will be notified with updated details as soon as they are available.
All programs are held rain or shine. In the event of a cancellation for severe weather, registrants will be contacted by email and/or phone, and it will be announced on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.
