Monitoring Study Design

Why Are You Monitoring?

Provide background information on your stream: For example, describe the geography of your stream, where it begins, where it joins larger water bodies and other important characteristics of its watershed.

List (or map) the classifications, designated uses or other ecological values associated with your stream.

Describe the issues facing your stream posed by the threats or conflicts and what, if anything is being done to address them.

1. List the stream segments that do not support, or only partially support, their uses.
2. List the causes or reasons that specific stream segments do not support their uses.
3. List the protection or restoration efforts underway to address the problems.
4. List the information that you believe you will need in order to address the issues.

Resources

• West Virginia Watersheds
• Water Quality Standards

What Are Your Data Quality Objectives (DQOs)?

Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) are the statements regarding precision, bias, representativeness, completeness and comparability needed for acceptable data.

1. List the intended uses and users of your information.
2. List your data quality objectives.
3. List your data quality requirements of the sampling and analysis of each indicator.
   • Accuracy is how close are your results are to the true values.
   • Precision is how close are your results are to each other.
   • Sensitivity is the smallest change or lowest concentration you seek to detect.

Resources

• Building Credibility: Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Volunteer Monitoring Programs

How Will You Monitor?

Describe how you will collect your samples. If you are using a specific program (e.g. WV Save Our Streams) you will only need to reference its standard operating procedures (SOPs).

1. What will be sampled (e.g. the water, bottom sediment, aquatic life etc.)?

2. List the types of sampling containers and/or other equipment to be used.

   Note: WV Save Our Streams (SOPs) do not provide information on the use of any specific chemical kits or meters. The Coordinator recommends that whatever type of kit you choose to use, always follow the manufactures instructions and recommendations for its use and care. If you are using a meter; these must be calibrated at regular intervals and always before using them in the field. When submitting chemical data always describe the kit you are using. The description should include the manufacturer, kit-type, range, model number etc.

3. What quantity of sample(s) will be collected?
4. How many samples will your monitoring team collect at each location?
5. Provide a description of your procedures (reference a particular method if applicable).

Resources

• Standard Operating Procedures

Where Will You Monitor?

1. List the criteria you used to select sampling sites.
2. List each sampling site and the rationale for each one. This could be a table with the following column heading:
1. Site “station” Number and/or name.
2. How the site be sampled (e.g. wading, from shore, by boat etc.).
3. Why the site is being monitored.
3. List where each indicator will be analyzed (field or lab etc.).

When Will You Monitor?

1. List the sampling and analysis dates for each type of sampling.
2. List the time of day each sample will be taken.
3. List the holding times for each type of sample.
4. Define your index period if collecting benthics, fish, algae etc.

Who Will Monitor?

List the paid and volunteer positions:

1. Title
2. Responsibility
3. Name, address, phone number, E-mail etc.

Additional Resources

• Quality Assurance Project Plans
• Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report
• ALLARM Study Design Manual
• Download This Page as PDF

Contact Us

Questions? Email the SOS Coordinator or our resident QAPP expert Martin Christ.