Clean water is vital to healthy living for both people and wildlife. Much of the water pumped into our homes and businesses comes from the streams around us. Rainfall produces runoff that enters our aquatic ecosystem and is processed at local water facilities for human consumption. The many creeks, streams and rivers in Loudoun are also a source of nourishment for the plants and animals living around us.
How clean is the water that flows through the woods, farms, residential communities and parks of Loudoun County? One way to find out is stream monitoring. Our stream monitoring program consists of benthic macroinvertebrate surveys and a Winter Salt Watch program in partnership with the Izaak Walton League of America.
To learn more about stream monitoring, view our video series and sign up for our monthly email newsletter, The Monitor, or view it online.
We also offer educational outreach activities and programs, including volunteer opportunities with both our benthic surveys and our Winter Salt Watch program. If you would like to learn more about these opportunities, contact our Stream Monitoring Program Coordinator Amy Ulland at aulland@loudounwildlife.org.
In 2022, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy received a $41,432 grant to secure clean drinking water for the Lucketts community from the Tides Foundation, on the recommendation of the Google Data Centers Grants Fund. Loudoun Wildlife is working to implement a one-year comprehensive water quality testing program and public outreach events to promote awareness of, and provide services for, clean drinking water to the community.
Use the links below to learn more about our stream monitoring activities.
