What is TraCkS?
Traverse Creek Stewardship (TraCkS) formed
several years ago as a local volunteer group.
Our focus is to establish baseline data for
water quality conditions in our watershed, to
create educational opportunities, to increase
stewardship awareness, and to determine if
our watershed is healthy.
Every year during June, we take "bug" samples
at three locations in Traverse Creek. The rest
of the year, we meet two nights a month to
identify the insects and other small organisms.
No experience is required to participate in
TraCkS activities. Our experienced volunteer
leaders provide on-the-job training.
What is Water Quality?
The water quality of a stream is a combination
of its physical, chemical, and biological
characteristics. As volunteer citizen monitors, we visit five locations in the
Traverse Creek watershed monthly to check on the health of our streams. We take
samples of the water and check the temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH,
conductivity, and turbidity. We also take photos of the stream and sites to monitor
changes in the riparian zone. Once a year we do a complete physical and biological
assessment.
Monitoring Sites on Traverse Creek
Alder Creek in the Georgetown Nature Area
Slat Creek and Traverse Creek near Meadowbrook Road
Traverse Creek above Traverse Creek Falls