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Monitoring Methods
Contact the Dip-In at:
dipin@kent.edu
Web Site Updated:
May 05, 2008
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Watershed Signs
One method that is being used to make the public aware of the
sources of their water is the use of signs that mark the watershed boundaries
and label the rivers and reservoirs within the watershed. All too often we
pass over rivers and by lakes without realizing the inter-connection between
these bodies of water. The watershed boundary signs may help the passerby
to realize the extent to which the water whose name they recognize may be
separated by miles from the watershed boundaries. For me, the value of
these signs came with the impact of seeing a sign marking the boundary of the
Chesapeake Bay watershed on Interstate 80 in northern Pennsylvania.
Below are some examples of these signs. Please visit
the original sites for more information. If you know of others, we would
be happy to post them at this site.
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"The signs are part of an ongoing educational effort to
help the public understand more about the Chesapeake Bay
restoration efforts. They highlight the concept of a watershed and
demonstrate that even those who may not be located in close proximity to
the Bay can be part of the restoration effort. The Chesapeake Bay is the
largest estuary in the United States and receives about half of its water
volume from its 64,000 square mile watershed (the other half flows in from
the Atlantic ocean at the Bay's mouth in Virginia)."
"The Chesapeake Bay Watershed signs were placed by
the Chesapeake Bay Commission with the assistance of the states of
Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania."
http://www.chesbay.state.va.us/signs.htm
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| "In order
to increase awareness of Austin's many watersheds, street signs are
installed at watershed boundaries. These signs enable Austinites to get to
"know their watershed". The signs, along with the companion post
cards sent to residents, let citizens know that all land is in a watershed
and that their property drains directly to a creek or water body. By
creating awareness, we hope that citizens avoid polluting."
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watershed/watershed_signs.htm
http://austin.about.com/library/weekly/aa061501a.htm |
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| "These watershed signs are
produced in part by EPA and distributed through Rivers Alive to qualifying
river cleanup organizers. The first 100 cleanup organizers to submit
a final tally form will automatically qualify for a 3 x 3 foot sign.
All signs are paid for by Rivers Alive."
http://www.riversalive.org/watershed_signs.htm
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| "Commissioner Miele said, 'The new signs were designed
through the cooperation of citizens, civic organizations, municipalities
and counties in the watershed, as well as the Catskill Watershed
Corporation, the Watershed Protection and Partnership Council, and the New
York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). In keeping with concerns
of watershed residents, the new signs are smaller in scale than the NYSDOT
standard and bear a simple message. I want to thank everyone who
contributed to creation of the signs, particularly with a special thanks
to the State Department of Transportation for installing them."
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press/00-38pr.html
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| "The University of North Carolina at Wilmington received two
Bradley Creek Watershed signs from the City of Wilmington's Storm Water
Services in cooperation with the New Hanover Tidal Creeks Program."
"The city is putting up 25 of these blue road signs that feature the
name of the watershed and a silhouette of a wading bird. The signs are
part of outreach to raise awareness about local watersheds. Storm Water
Services gave UNCW the two Bradley Creek Watershed signs in appreciation
of the water quality research and support provided by the university's
scientists and administration."
City
of Wilmington, North Carolina |
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| "Similar
signs will be posted on major roads in the eight counties that contain
portions of the watersheds of New York City's upstate reservoirs. The
signs will increase awareness of the importance and extensive size of the
watershed and will discourage pollution of its streams and reservoirs. The
project has been a cooperative effort of the New York City Department of
Environmental Protection the New York State Department of Transportation."
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press/99-09pr.html |
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"The Dog River Watershed drains
approximately 100 square miles of Mobile County, Alabama, including much
of the highly urban city of Mobile, Alabama. Water quality in the
watershed is affected by nonpoint source pollution from urban and suburban
areas. The major pollutants in the watershed are silt, litter, and
bacteria. In 1998, AUMERC began the Dog River Watershed Project to
increase public education and concern about the watershed, and to develop
a stakeholder-driven management plan."
Watershed Labeling Project
"Fourteen signs have been installed on major roads
along the perimeter of the watershed. These signs have increased the
awareness of the watershed for thousands of commuters."
http://www.southalabama.edu/geography/fearn/DRCR.htm
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| The Watershed Center, Grand Traverse Bay,
Michigan The Watershed Center develops and places educational signs
around the Grand Traverse Bay and its watershed. This project was made
possible through a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality's Nonpoint Source Program.
http://www.gtbay.org/watershedtc73567.asp |
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For more information on the Great American Secchi
Dip-In, contact us at: DipIn@kent.edu
or write
The Secchi Dip-In
Department of Biological Sciences
Kent State University
Kent OH 44242
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