Carson River Snapshot Day set for Oct. 17

The public is invited to take part in the Fourth-Annual Carson River Snapshot Day Oct. 17. Volunteers, under the guidance of a water resource professional, will collect watershed information from 10 locations along the river at exactly the same time that morning, providing a "snapshot" of current environmental conditions at the Carson River.

During the event, volunteers will make visual observations of habitat and land uses, and measure physical and chemical characteristics. Participants will perform field tests to measure dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and temperature. Water samples also will be collected and analyzed at a laboratory for nutrients, sediment, and bacteria.

The data collected will be used to screen for potential water quality problems, help to establish baseline conditions, and provide additional data for water resource agencies.

Local students, scout troops and interested citizens are invited to volunteer for this important event. Experience is not necessary. Training will be provided on the day of the event. The staging location on the day of the event will be the Carson Water Subconservancy District Office in Carson City.

Team Leaders are also needed. The number of sites to be sampled will depend on the number of team leaders who participate. Team Leaders will need to attend a Team Leader Training at 3 p.m. Oct. 7. Location information will be provided during signups.

For more information, or to sign up to volunteer or become a Team Leader, contact Mary Kay Wagner at the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Quality Planning, at (775) 687-9454.

This event, modeled after the Truckee River Snapshot Day, is sponsored by the Carson Water Subconservancy District and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.