Susquehanna River Basin Commission's New StoryMap Showcases Water Quality Monitoring System

On February 16, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced the release of a new online StoryMap about its real-time water quality monitoring system.

The Commission’s Continuous Instream Monitoring (CIM) system collects water quality data with intense measurement frequency (readings every 15 minutes), and conditions are documented 24/7 at fixed locations for years supporting scientific analyses of long-term environmental changes and trends.

From the StoryMap, you can learn about the Commission’s real-time water quality monitoring efforts since 2003. You can explore the profiles of more than 75 watersheds in the Susquehanna River Basin. 

The dashboard will show you watershed-specific data on fish and bug health, long-term temperature trends and acidity levels, just to name a few parameters available. And you can browse photos of each watershed, equipment in use, and our scientists in action.

The dashboard is awesome!” said Allyson Gibson, Director of Lancaster County Clean Water Partners, referring to the easily navigable public component of the CIM. 

And Arianne Proctor, Chief of Minerals Division at the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources said, “The CIM story map does a beautiful job describing the purpose of the monitoring network and providing users with incredibly detailed information summarized in an easy to visualize, meaningful format. A versatile tool for everyone in the Basin!

The CIM's expanded network can assist emergency managers with spill response, forecasting pollutant movement and alerting water supply operators before hazardous waste reaches their intakes. 

Many CIM stations are monitoring water quality in areas of the Basin where unconventional natural gas production is underway.

The Commission is committed to long-term environmental monitoring in order to provide a thorough understanding of the Basin’s water quality conditions and aquatic ecosystem health. 

The data CIM provides are essential for effective policy-making, wise allotment of limited restoration of funds and overall management of the Basin’s resources.

Click Here to visit the StoryMap.

Visit SRBC’s Water Quality Projects webpage to learn more about its water quality monitoring and restoration initiatives.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

[Posted: February 16, 2022]  PA Environment Digest