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Streamwalk
(Cadettes and Seniors)
Before the Streamwalk
- We encourage you to contact local groups involved in environmental
issues in your area. This serves two purposes: one, these groups may
be able to provide you with information and background on your Streamwalk
site; and two, you may be able to piggyback on some an existing program.
Visit EPA's Adopt Your Watershed
web page to find a group in your watershed or see pages 32-33 for a
list of some local groups.
- Choose the general area for your Streamwalk. It is strongly recommended
that Troop Leaders visit the stream walk site in advance. You may
wish to collect data along a familiar stream, one that is close to your
troop meeting location, or one that does not cascade down a steep mountain
side. You may decide to do a series of streams in a watershed to collect
baseline data, or to concentrate your efforts in areas suspected of
being polluted. It is recommended that streamwalks be done four times
a year (once each season) at your site.
- Find a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map of your area.
These "topo" maps are an excellent resource because they show such things
as buildings, elevations, waterways and roads. Topo maps are useful
for identifying the latitude and longitude of your site. Help in defining
longitude and latitude is provided in the Instructions
for Defining Latitude and Longitude (pdf file, 69kb). We recommend
a 7-1/2 minute quad map (1:24,000 scale where 11 inches = 4 miles),
which are available at local sporting goods stores. The cost is approximately
$4. You may also find a copy to photocopy at your local library, or
you can order them directly from USGS. For assistance, call 1-800-USA-MAPS.
- Now, find your specific Streamwalk site on the topo map. It will
be easier for future streamwalkers to locate your site if it is near
landmarks (roads, highways, and tributaries), especially those marked
on the map. For purposes of Streamwalks, you will be characterizing
100 feet in either direction from your site. You may do as many sites
on the stream as you wish, just be sure that sites are at least 200
feet apart.
- Finally, pull out a copy of the Streamwalk survey data form. It is very important that you have gone through the instructions and the Streamwalk Tips before you begin your walk. You will use your map and one survey data sheet per Streamwalk site.
Note: Several citizen groups and agency representatives worked with EPA's Region 10 office (Seattle, Washington) to develop Streamwalk. It is intended to be an easy-to-use screening tool for monitoring stream corridor health.
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