ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Red River Basin River Watch Monitoring Program began in Minnesota in 1995. Today, the program is being implemented in North Dakota and Manitoba through a partnership between the MN Pollution Control Agency, the ND Department of Health, the Red River Watershed Management Board and Oak Hammock Marsh. The basin wide program provides hands-on "real world" science opportunities for students, teachers and citizens participating in the program and is designed to provide leadership experiences and greater awareness and understanding of baseline water quality in the Red River Basin.

There are currently 34 schools participating basin wide in the River Watch Monitoring Program (27 in Minnesota, 7 in North Dakota and 3 in Manitoba). Participating schools monitor with scientific equipment at 2-16 predetermined sites along selected rivers and streams.

Water sampling is done on a regular basis; usually once a month throughout the open water season. During the winter period, River Watch Teams assemble data and prepare for their local River Watch Forums. River Watch Forums bring students, teachers and local organizations and resource managers together to hear student teams present the results from the monitoring season.