River Watch
River Watch enhances watershed understanding and awareness for tomorrow’s decision-making through direct hands-on, field-based experiential watershed science. Schools throughout the Red River of the North Basin participate in a variety of unique and innovative watershed engagement opportunities suited to their school, community, and watershed needs.
Schools participate in:
Water Quality Monitoring
Annual River Watch Forum
Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
River Explorers
Water Quality Monitoring
Students collect and record conditions at local rivers and streams using state-of-the-art scientific methods and equipment.
ROUTINE SAMPLING
River Watch Teams visit assigned monitoring sites several times a year and then submit their data into our database. Explore data across years and sites at river.watch.
River Watch DatabaseCONTINUOUS MONITORING
IWI utilizes continuous monitoring stations designed by Stroud Research Center to collect data every five minutes. Explore sites and data at monitormywatershed.org.
Monitor My WatershedANNUAL TRAINING
IWI and MPCA host an annual training to ensure a high standard of data quality in the Red River Basin.
Training MaterialsAnnual River Watch Forum
The annual River Watch Forum brings teachers, students, and natural resource professionals together to present, learn, and engage on water resource topics.
The first River Watch Forum took place in 1995 and has grown from several small local gatherings into a major annual event with over 300 attendees.
2021: JUST AROUND THE RIVER BEND
The 2021 River Watch Forum was held virtually through a series of challenges completed by each team. Check out the challenges and winners below!
2021 Forum Recap2019: DATA DRIVEN PROBLEM SOLVING
The 2019 River Watch Forum was held February 27th at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND.
2019 Forum Recap2020: 20/20 A CLEAR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The 2020 Forum took place through a series of videos due to the cancellation of the in-person event. Take a look at the videos, project submissions, and forum winners.
2020 Forum RecapPAST FORUM ARCHIVE
Access posters and videos submitted by our schools from 2012 to present.
Forum ArchiveMacroinvertebrate Sampling
Macroinvertebrate sampling allows scientists to connect water quality to in-stream biological health. Certain species of river bugs (macroinvertebrates) are only able to survive in unpolluted systems. Their presence or absence can indicate whether or not a waterbody is healty. Oh, and it is also a fun, hands-on experience for all!
IBI SCORING INDEX
Scoring indices help estimate the quality of water – below is one example of an IBI Index.
IndexVIRTUAL MACROS
Learn more about macros and put your knowledge to the test with this virtual activity.
Macro Virtual ActivityRiver Explorers
An opportunity for River Watch teams to kayak local streams, allowing a unique persepective of watershed health, recreation, and wildlife.
STORY MAPS
Following the completion of a River Explorers Paddling Trip, students and staff work together to compile photos and observations to create a map.
Story MapsTo explore more about River Watch, check out our flyer and 2020 report.
A special “Thank You!” to the sponsers below, who have helped sponsor River Watch programming and/or the Forum.
