Humboldt Baykeeper's twice-a-year water monitoring began in 2005 and now extends to 15 creeks and sloughs (see map below), as well as several stormwater runoff ditches. Our monitoring covers both the dry weather period in late summer and the "First Flush" after autumn's first big storm sends pollutants washing off streets into storm drains and creeks. In 2006, we added an annual monitoring event in May to provide local data for a state "Coastwide Snapshot" of water quality. Our volunteers are also monitoring McKinleyville’s waterways, which flow into the Mad River or directly into the ocean.

The goal of the Water Monitoring Program is to document the present condition of local streams and sloughs, to identify problem areas for future monitoring, and to find solutions that reduce such pollution. We are currently working with Pacific Watershed Associates to analyze data from our first 4 years, and to refine our program to sample target streams more intensively to pinpoint pollution sources.

Thanks, to the dozens of dedicated volunteers and partners who help make our program successful. To get involved, contact Kalei, Baykeeper’s Outreach Coordinator.

Partners

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
State Water Resources Board’s Clean Water Team
Salmon Forever
Pacific Watershed Associates
City of Eureka’s Stormwater Division
City of Arcata’s Environmental Services
North Coast Stormwater Coalition
Humboldt County Department of Public Works
Humboldt County Department of Environmental Health

The Humboldt County Environmental Health Department monitors fecal coliform near creek mouths that deliver stormwater into the ocean. Sampling results at Moonstone Beach, Clam Beach, and Trinidad State Beach, Luffenholtz Creek, and the mouth of the Mad River are posted on the county’s website at http://co.humboldt.ca.us/HHS/PHB/EnvironmentalHealth/OceanMonitoringProgram/.

In general, the County Health Department recommends that beachgoers avoid contact with ocean and creek water until at least 3 days after a heavy rainfall.

Water Quality Data >>