The public is invited to take part in the fourth annual Carson River Snapshot Day Oct. 17. Volunteers, under the guidance of a water resource professional, will collect watershed information from locations along the river at the same time that morning, providing a "snapshot" of current environmental conditions at the Carson River.
During the event, volunteers will make visual observations of habitat and land uses, and measure physical and chemical characteristics. Participants will perform field tests to measure dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and temperature. Water samples also will be collected and analyzed at a laboratory for nutrients, sediment and bacteria.
The data will be used to screen for potential water quality problems, help to establish baseline conditions, and provide additional data for water resource agencies.
Local students, scout troops and interested citizens are invited to volunteer for this event. Experience is not necessary. Training will be provided on the day of the event. The staging location will be the Carson Water Subconservancy District Office in Carson City.
Team leaders also are needed. The number of sites to be sampled will depend on the number of team leaders who participate. Team leaders will need to attend a training at 3 p.m.Wednesday. Location information will be provided during signups.
For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, contact Mary Kay Wagner at the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, 775-687-9454.
This event is sponsored by the Carson Water Subconservancy District and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.