You are currently browsing the Saving Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio weblog archives for July, 2009.
July 31, 2009 by admin.
July 2009 Grand Lake St. Marys Algal Toxins –
Common Questions from OEPA
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July 31, 2009 by admin.
ST. MARYS — Seagulls sing a summer song, while others sit on the banks of Grand Lake St. Marys.”It [the lake] brings a lot of people here every summer,” said Celina resident Rich Standiford.
Randal Starlin and his family are visiting from Indiana. They’re enjoying a lunch before going tubing.
The usually busy lake doesn’t seem so crowded this summer.
“We noticed at the marina yesterday how slow it was. We were kind of surprised at that,” said Starlin.
It’s actually a sign of the times that’s hurting business at Grand Lake St. Marys.
“Our camping is down. Our weekday camping…
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July 30, 2009 by admin.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) recently approved the Qualified Data Collector Guide, a water quality monitoring program created for the Grand Lake/Wabash River Watersheds. The plan involves qualified data collectors monitoring both physical and chemical attributes of waterways and using the information collected to study water quality over time. Monitoring the creeks, ditches, streams, and lake is vitally important in working to improve water quality. The goal is to have at least one monitoring site in each subwatershed to ensure a comprehensive study of the watershed.
A qualified data collector (QDC) is an individual who has been certified by OEPA to collect data. This data is then accepted by OEPA to show trends and changes in water quality. Individuals who participate in QDC monitoring must first go through a training session where they learn about credible data collection and how to properly use the equipment involved. At the completion of the training, participants are eligible to apply for Level 1 QDC status. As QDC’s gain experience, they will be able to apply for higher and more specialized status levels. The higher status levels allow QDC’s to perform more complex forms of data collection, which can be utilized for higher level reporting to OEPA.
The QDC’s of the GLWWA watersheds will begin monitoring sites throughout the area. As more people show an interest, the GLWWA will host another QDC training. If you have a site that you would like someone to monitor or you would like to do it yourself, please contact Watershed Coordinator Laura Walker at laura.walker[at]mercercountyohio.org, 419-586-3289 or 220 West Livingston St., Suite 1, Celina, Ohio, 45822.
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