Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Volunteer Water Monitoring Program Overview

Volunteer Water Monitoring Program Overview

Connecticut is fortunate to be a water-rich state, with over 7,000 miles of rivers and streams, hundreds of lakes and ponds, and of course, the magnificent Long Island Sound. The CT DEEP Water Monitoring and Assessment Program monitors these waterbodies but cannot monitor all of them. Volunteers can contribute additional valuable data to assist with water quality assessments. CT DEEP encourages groups and individuals interested in helping to conserve and protect our water resources to become volunteer water monitors, also commonly referred to as 'citizen scientists' and 'community scientists'. The three main types of data that volunteer water monitors can collect include stream macroinvertebrate data, continuous stream water temperature data, and lake/pond Secchi depth and temperature data. Volunteer water monitoring data can be viewed and explored using the Volunteer Monitoring Mapping Application.

A Three-Tiered Approach to Volunteer-Based Water Monitoring 

A Tiered Approach for Volunteer-Based Monitoring of Wadeable Streams and Rivers outlines the DEEP Water Monitoring and Assessment Program's three-tiered approach to supporting volunteer water quality monitoring in Connecticut. The three-tiered approach allows for participation by volunteers having a wide range of skills and interest levels. 

The most basic level of volunteer monitoring is Tier 1 monitoring. Tier 1 programs typically involve volunteers contributing observational data such as photographs or written descriptions to document stream conditions. This information is particularly useful when reporting a suspected issue to DEEP, such as unusual water color or very low flow levels. Little to no training, equipment or commitment are needed to monitor at the Tier 1 level.

Tier 2 monitoring consists of slightly more advanced monitoring, although no prior training or experience is expected. Presently, CT DEEP coordinates several statewide Tier 2 programs for volunteers interested in conducting water monitoring: stream macroinvertebrates, continuous stream water temperature, and lake and pond Secchi and temperature data. The Volunteer Water Monitoring Program Coordinator provides new volunteers with training and equipment. Volunteers are expected to follow DEEP protocols and submit their data to the State at the conclusion of the monitoring period. See the "Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities" section below to learn more.

Finally, more advanced volunteer groups, typically those with paid staff members or individuals with advanced scientific training and expertise (e.g. professional scientists) can work with CT DEEP staff to outline a Tier 3 monitoring program for their town or watershed. Tier 3 programs consist of watershed or waterbody-specific intensive monitoring plans, such as bacteria track-down studies or nutrient loading assessments. DEEP staff support and funding may be available to support Tier 3 programs. Contact the Volunteer Water Monitoring Coordinator to learn more if interested.
   

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

River and Stream Monitoring

Connecticut has over 7,000 miles of perennial rivers and streams. This distance is roughly equal to the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders combined! DEEP therefore relies on the support of volunteers (citizen scientists) to help monitor these important waterbodies.  

DEEP currently coordinates two programs for volunteers interested in monitoring streams and rivers in their towns or watersheds:

  • The Riffle Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV) Program trains volunteers to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates to document Connecticut’s healthiest streams. Monitoring occurs September through November annually. The volunteer program is run by Local RBV Coordinators (typically watershed organizations, conservation groups, or schools). Individuals interested in participating in the RBV Program will volunteer with a Local RBV Program.
  • Volunteers in the statewide Volunteer Stream Temperature Monitoring (V-STeM) Network are trained to use continuous temperature data loggers to monitor water temperature at streams of interest. Monitoring occurs year-round with the bulk of field work completed in the spring (April/May) and fall (September/October). This volunteer program is geared towards groups and organizations with full-time staff who have been trained by CT DEEP. Individuals who are interested in this program may be able to assist with temperature QC checks throughout the summer.
Lake and Pond Monitoring

Although the Water Monitoring and Assessment Program maintains a robust statewide lake and pond water quality monitoring program, there are still many more lakes in the State than can be monitored each year. Therefore, in 2021, CT DEEP launched a statewide volunteer-based lake and pond water quality monitoring program:

  • The Connecticut Lake Watch program trains volunteers to measure water clarity using a Secchi disk, collect surface water temperature readings, and to report potentially harmful algal blooms. This volunteer program is best suited for individuals who own a boat (kayak, canoe, motorboat, etc.), who live on or near a waterbody and can commit to monitoring on a weekly basis. Training typically occurs in April. A limited number of Secchi disk kits are available to be loaned to groups or individuals looking to establish a new lake monitoring program. 
Coastal and Long Island Sound Monitoring

Currently, CT DEEP does not coordinate a formal statewide volunteer coastal monitoring program. However, the Water Monitoring and Assessment Program implements an extensive Long Island Sound (LIS) water quality monitoring program and groups currently conducting coastal monitoring are encouraged to submit their data to support this effort. To learn more contact Katie O'Brien-Clayton at katie.obrien-clayton@ct.gov. 

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program, please fill out this form: New Water Quality Monitoring Volunteers. CT DEEP staff will use the information you provide to help connect you with our programs. 

DEEP_WaterVolMon Listserv

The DEEP_WaterVolMon Listserv is open to anyone who wishes to join. The listserv is used to share program announcements and information about upcoming DEEP-led trainings. Additional information that may be of interest to the volunteer water monitoring program (e.g. non-DEEP led webinars on volunteer monitoring and funding opportunities) is routinely shared.    

How to Subscribe to the Listserv    

If you have an e-mail signature, header, and/or footer set up to be automatically included in emails, you will need to delete these before sending the subscribe request. Send an email to listserv@list.ct.gov. Leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type: 

Subscribe DEEP_WaterVolMon YourFirstName YourLastName

Substitute your first and last name in the text above when sending. You will receive an e-mail confirmation that you have successfully subscribed to the listserv. 

How to Unsubscribe to the Listserv

Requests to unsubscribe must be sent from the same email account used when subscribing to the email list.  Send an e-mail to listserv@list.ct.gov, leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type:

Unsubscribe DEEP_WaterVolMon YourFirstName YourLastName 

Substitute your first and last name in the text above when sending. You will receive an e-mail confirmation that you have been removed from the listserv.  
   

Related Pages

To Learn More Contact:

Volunteer Water Monitoring Program
CT DEEP Water Monitoring and Assessment Program
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
DEEP.VolunteerWaterMonitoring@ct.gov
   

Content last updated July 27, 2026