What is the Watershed Action Team?We are a diverse group of professional and volunteer water enthusiasts who care deeply about the quality of our water resources. There are many ways to get involved as an organization or as an individual! Try coming to one of our team meetings, attending a clean-up or recreation event, or joining a water quality monitoring group. If you would like more information, please e-mail one of our chairpersons listed below: Emily Imhoff e-mail Cincinnati Museum Center Matt Wooten e-mail Sanitation District 1
Spotlight: NKU a Leader in Stormwater Friendly Low-mow Landscaping Northern Kentucky University has recently implemented low-mow landscaping methods in several areas on campus. Low-mow landscaping can significantly reduce stormwater runoff, one of the main problems facing urban and suburban watersheds in our region. Andy Koenig, NKU Assistant Grounds Supervisor, proposed the project to University leadership and has managed the successful development of a large native wildflower garden as well as four low-mow fescue grass fields. The Watershed Action Team is currently undertaking a new initiative to increase the use of low-mow/no-mow landscaping methods in our region. The positive example set by NKU will help inspire other educational institutions to consider a low-mow or no-mow alternative to short lawns. Thanks to Andy and NKU for being leaders in the region! | Join us for our next meeting! Friday, May 4th, 2018 9:00 - 11:00 am Hamilton County Environmental Services |
New and improved! Cincinnati Green Infrastructure inventory map
Zoom in or out to view different parts of the region. Each icon on the map is clickable to view details of the practice put into place.
Help grow the inventory by using this form to add your own Green Infrastructure project!
Calendar of cleanup events in 2018We're waiting on dates for 2018, check back in Spring! TBD 24th Annual Mill Creek Cleanup TBD Little Miami River Kleen Up June 16th Ohio River Sweep TBD 6th Annual Upper Mill Creek Cleanup TBD Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River | What to expect at a cleanup event Individual events may vary, but typically volunteers will first sign in and fill out a waiver. If you are under 18, your parent/guardian will need to sign your waiver as well. Volunteers are then are provided with trash bags to fill with litter. Volunteers typically work in groups to gather as much litter as they can, mainly by walking on foot along the stream/river/lake. Some cleanups may offer boat rides to those interested! Safety is important and no one will be asked to do anything they are uncomfortable with around the water. There may be beverages, snacks, lunch, or even t-shirts or other prizes provided. To find out more about a specific event, please see the website listed above, and/or contact the event sponsor. |
Calendar of major recreation events in 2018July TBD Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo August 4 17th Annual Ohio River Paddlefest Summer TBD Mill Creek ReCreation Celebration September 29-30 Great Outdoor Weekend |
Organizations offering citizen WQ monitoring opportunitiesNote: most groups have events throughout the year, so feel free to contact them at any time. Winter is a great time to ask about opportunities in the coming Spring! Butler County Stream Team (multiple watersheds) Great Miami River Volunteer Water Quality Program Greenacres Saturday Stream Snapshot (Little Miami River watershed) Licking River Watershed Watch (Northern Kentucky) Mill Creek Water Quality Monitoring | How does water quality monitoring work? Several local organizations rely on citizen scientists to take water quality measurements in local streams. Typically, each sample site is visited once a month, where some basic information about the stream will be recorded and a sample of water will be taken. Measurements of water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH will be taken in the field, and samples may be returned to a lab for further testing. Volunteers may need to attend a training session, or simply show up on the day of the sampling. Programs vary by organization, see the links in the list to the left for more info! The season typically runs from early spring through late fall, with a concluding presentation or report being made in the winter to show the year's results. Consider joining one of these groups to learn more about your local watershed! |
The Water team brings together representatives from non-profits, businesses, educational institutions and governmental entities working to improve water quality and watershed management in our region.
Metropolitan Sewer District Water Quality Initiatives - Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati has several initiatives to access water quality in the region. One of these initiatives includes a water quality and biological study of the Mill Creek, Little Miami River, Great Miami River and the Ohio River.
Recr8Ohio (River Current Conditions) - Ohio River water quality and river conditions in the Greater Cincinnati are available for recreational users and others as they plan to boat, fish, swim, or engage in other water sports.