WEKIVA RIVER – The Wekiva River is one of only two rivers in Florida with a federal designation called “National Wild and Scenic,” meaning the water quality is protected and preserved.
But to do that, it takes continued monitoring. And thanks to a program called Springs Watch, anyone can help.
The program is a partnership between the Florida Springs Institute and Florida Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Val Hahn, Wekiva Wild and Scenic River ambassador, explained that volunteers paddle out once a month with instruments to measure water conditions.
“We go out and we take a couple different measurements on the river,” Hann said. “Then that data is available as open source for the public to have knowledge about the conditions out here.”
Michelle Jamesson leads the small group of volunteers, or “community scientists” up to the headspring at Wekiva Springs State Park.
They paddle, three to a canoe, through the calm early morning waters. Sunlight filters through the trees above and wildlife stirs on the banks.
“It’s a privilege to be out here so much,” Jamesson said as she glided inches above the water.
Jamesson, like most of the volunteers, have little background in science.
“I love that somebody like me, who has no scientific experience — I was a professional harpist for a long time, a music major.” Jamesson said. “I can still be out here helping lead other volunteers doing environmental work.”
Jamesson gave a quick lesson on how everything works and handed out the gear.
“I imagine it’s hard to get enough employees to monitor all of these so often,” said Jamesson, explaining the importance of the program. “So getting volunteers to be trained in how to do this is a really smart idea. And it gives people a little bit of control in protecting what they love.”
Jamesson described the measurements that volunteers make: dissolved oxygen (the oxygen aquatic life needs), specific conductance (ions or potential salt intrusion), PAR meter readings (light penetration), submerged aquatic vegetation surveys, bird counts and human-activity observations.
Taken monthly, those measures form a baseline to detect changes.
“It’s cool because the public gets to help take the data and then it’s open to the public as well,” Haha said. “Some of those numbers we can help change. Anyone at home can help protect these waters. This information can be used for further research, to spark an idea. That’s the whole point.”
The volunteers don’t test for nitrogen, which is a significant source of pollution in the springs.
But the good news is they haven’t recorded anything alarming in their samples.
“We want to help everyday-citizens appreciate what they have here in their backyards and learn how to protect it,” Jamesson said.
The group meets on the third Thursday of each month. Volunteers should have some canoe experience.
You can find volunteer information on the National Wild and Scenic River System website.