The Annapolis River Guardian volunteers began collecting water quality data in the Annapolis River watershed in 1992. The Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) initiated the program as a public awareness project, and has had numerous volunteers collecting samples over the years. It is one of the longest running and most extensive volunteer based water quality programs in Eastern Canada. It is also CARP’s longest running project. At least 100 volunteers from the Annapolis Valley community have participated in the program over the years, and over 4,000 water samples have been collected and analyzed.
The program was initiated in the early 1990’s by Dr. Graham Daborn and Dr. Mike Brylinsky of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER). Many groups were involved in the planning process for the program, including staff from the Nova Scotia Department of Health, the Nova Scotia Department of Environment, Nova Scotia Community College, and CARP. Some modifications have been made over the years, but the core has remained the same.
Since the early 90’s, 8 sites have been actively monitored. Sampling occurs from late spring to late fall, biweekly. Water quality data is collected through a water quality instrument, otherwise known as a YSI, and grab samples are sent for laboratory analysis to determine E.coli levels in the River. The information is then analyzed by CARP staff with this historical data, which is then later produced into a report card looking at water quality status and trends in the watershed over time. See past report cards here: https://www.annapolisriver.ca/annapolis-river-guardians.
10.25976/ye7n-bd78