NC Stream Watch
Welcome to North Carolina Stream Watch
Learn about NC Streams without any required equipment. Anyone can participate in NC Stream Watch! Do you teach about water or the environment? Are you looking for ways to engage remote learners? Maybe you just pass a stream while you're walking your dog. We invite you to share your visual observations next time you're visiting a stream.
The goal of NC Stream Watch is to host observations and images of North Carolina's beautiful water resources for community members to see. The interactive map offers users to explore the diversity of waterways from different parts of the state. NC Stream Watch is a program intended for educational purposes only.
Learn about North Carolina's Water Resources |
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NC Stream WatchNC Stream Watch Survey |
Explore NC Streams & RiversObservations Map |
Share your observations for NC Wetlands & LichenNC Environmental Observations Dashboard
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Use our online reporting form to report an algal bloom or fish kill in a waterbody.Also, check out our Fish Kill and Algal Bloom Report Dashboard. |
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Want an added layer of support? Sign up for our Water Education Coffee Talks to join the water education conversation on the first Thursday of each month! Register here to receive the invite and link each month.
Questions? Interested in becoming an NC Stream Watch Leader in your area?
Lauren.Daniel@ncdenr.gov - Water Education Programs Coordinator
Welcome!
NC Stream Watch 3.0 is Here
You know that feeling when you're near a beautiful stream and you just want to share it with someone? NC Stream Watch invites you to learn about the streams in your own community and share with others across North Carolina. This program is perfect for learners of all ages interested in exploring the health of their own stream as well as other streams around the state.
Observe Your Stream:
- Habitat Health
- Trash Tracking
- Conveyances
- Chemistry
- Macroinvertebrates
Additional NC Stream Watch Resources
Enjoy our Stream Watch Introduction Video.
Learn how to submit your General Observations by watching our quick How-To Video.
Learn how to complete the Trash Tracker and Habitat Assessment portion of the survey.
Ready to take a look? Get started by completing the NC Stream Watch Survey and then view your data on the Observations Dashboard.
Questions? Interested in becoming an NC Stream Watch Leader in your area?
Lauren.Daniel@ncdenr.gov - Water Education Programs Coordinator
Tier 1 Data Collection Surveys (Click +/- to expand/collapse)
Trash Tracker
This tool is used to enter the number of bags of trash picked up during a stream cleanup and to document it by taking a picture and posting it automatically into online Maps. This is the easiest application to use.
Link to Trash Tracker https://arcg.is/18WWXG
Trash surveyor
This survey is used to scout potential stream or land based cleanup areas. The tool can also be used to evaluate Trash accumulation between cleanup projects. The most important component is the ability to geolocate areas that may require more cleanup effort, people and bags. This app is also used to determine site safety so that someone could evaluate whether they would need to have professionals, community scientists or could even have kids groups involved in the cleanup process. It is also good for planning for the amounts of trash versus recyclables on the site.
Link to Trash Surveyor https://arcg.is/1ej1yP
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey (IWL)
This application is directly from the Izaak Walton League paper process and provides a qualitative benthic macroinvertebrate score. NC DEQ has migrated this program to a Survey123 application. This application is probably most likely to be used by high school teachers or entry level college biology classes to do evaluations of the ecological condition. The ratings can be displayed alongside detailed NC DEQ macroinvertebrate collections. https://www.iwla.org/publications/blog/blog/clean-water-corner/2019/05/22/its-the-little-things-learning-to-identify-aquatic-macroinvertebrates
Link to Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey https://arcg.is/m1Hqn
Aquatic Habitat Survey.
This application is from the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program. NC DEQ has migrated this program to a Survey123 application. Like the Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Survey this application is probably most likely to be used by trained community scientist, high school teachers and entry level college biology classes. https://adoptastream.georgia.gov/
Link to take the Aquatic Habitat Survey https://arcg.is/08C8Xu
Water Chemistry Survey
This application is used to document water chemistry information that is collected in the field using non type 2 or type 3 data collection methods and equipment. The information is for educational or qualitative chemical assessments. This information can help guide more rigorous type 2 and type 3 data collections.
Link to Water Chemistry Survey https://arcg.is/10XTrz
Source Tracker
Is similar to the SCITS tool except that it doesn't require the user to provide priority on the combination of source and conveyance information. This application is primarily for educational purposes so community members can associate landscape characteristics with water resource conditions. The information is also valuable for watershed stakeholders to identify WIPS that will improve conditions in the community.
Link to Source Tracker Survey https://arcg.is/Tz1vX