Brent Foster, Executive Director, Columbia Riverkeeper, performing water quality monitoring on the Columbia River
In February 2006, RNA received a $5000 contribution from Allweather Wood, Inc. in Washougal. In June 2006, RNA received a second $5000 corporate donation from Metro Metals Inc, in Portland. Both donations will be used to pay for water quality monitoring on the Columbia River. These corporate donations were arranged through RNA’s continued working partnership with Columbia Riverkeeper.
Rachael Pecore, Volunteer Coordinator, Columbia Riverkeeper, Water Monitoring Project
Dvija Michael Bertish, RNA, driving the boat on a water monitoring excursion
Various RNA members have been trained to use special water monitoring equipment, and have been assigned stations at several points along the Columbia River in the Vancouver area to monitor throughout the summer. Data will be gathered bi-monthly until October. So far, testing parameters include dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, and turbidity, and the testing parameters will be expanded throughout the summer. Early monitoring data indicates that heavy metals may be a serious problem in the river. This information has been reported to the Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership, a cooperative multi-agency task force working on water quality problems in Vancouver Lake, which is fed by river water.
Columbia Riverkeeper arranged for RNA volunteers to use Clark County’s equipment to perform scheduled monitoring tasks. Jason Wolf, Clark County’s Volunteer Coordinator for water monitoring has been very helpful with the equipment and technical assistance for this program.
While gathering field data, RNA volunteers have been approached by various onlookers who applaud the monitoring efforts, some saying “its about time,” and “we need to figure out how to clean this river up.” Monitoring volunteers experienced the fun of watching Navy ships pass during the Rose Festival, including being swamped by waves in the wake of these ships. Thank goodness for hip waders! Other individuals involved in the program are collecting data throughout the Portland and Hood River areas.
The RNA has long been committed to environmental and water quality protection, and this latest effort marks an exciting new challenge as we branch out into working partnerships with other strong environmental groups like the Columbia Riverkeeper. Willamette Riverkeeper, another member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, is performing heavy metals monitoring in the metro area, and has offered Columbia Riverkeeper water monitoring equipment on loan. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality has also provided access to monitoring equipment for this program. This is a successful collaborative effort.
