Note: The DNR has discontinued the IOWATER Program. Any use of the term by other parties or organizations does not indicate affiliation with or sponsorship by the DNR or the State of Iowa.
Volunteer water monitoring is an ongoing component of the DNR’s commitment to “citizen science”. Volunteer water monitoring is a great way for interested citizens of all ages to get outdoors and become more familiar with their local water resources. An evaluation of the DNR’s past support for volunteer water monitoring programs highlighted several themes:
- The team building and community aspects of volunteer water monitoring were some of the most useful takeaways and positives reported by participants.
- Regular, sustained participation and activity relied on strong organizational efforts by local team leaders and the teams valuing the data they generated.
- Water monitoring volunteers were much more likely to follow up and engage in other watershed-scale project activity such as planning, advocacy, or conservation program participation like the installation of best management practices on their own properties.
Volunteer water monitoring is best able to inform local water quality goal setting if the decision-making and coordination is locally-led. The DNR has sustained partnerships that support watershed groups, interested communities, counties, and regions in developing their locally-led volunteer water monitoring programs.
The DNR continues to value volunteer water monitoring for its role in increasing citizen awareness, knowledge, and stewardship of Iowa’s water resources, and appreciates all volunteers that help us achieve our natural resource conservation and enhancement goals.
For more information see the Contact Watershed Staff page.