The Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program was established through Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) grants and operates in partnership between The University of Olivet and Eaton Conservation District. The monitoring program consists of sites in Eaton County within the Upper Thornapple River watershed. Program volunteers receive training on stream monitoring protocols. Teams visit stream sites to collect macroinvertebrates, or aquatic larval insects, that are later identified and counted to calculate a water quality score. Stream monitoring events are held twice a year in the spring and fall.

Upcoming stream monitoring Events

Stream Monitoring Collection Day 1: October 9, 11am-3pm

Stream Monitoring Collection Day 2: October 16, 11am-3pm

Stream Monitoring Identification: October 23, 11am-1pm

NEW Adopt a Stream program

Volunteers who have previously participated in a stream monitoring event are eligible to be a part of our new Adopt a Stream program. Participants will join a team that is assigned to 1-2 stream sites that they will commit to monitoring on a continuing basis each fall. The dates of this program will be set based on the availability of team members.

2024 Adopt a Stream: Dates TBD

You can find all of our upcoming events on our Events page.

program Goals

The design of the stream monitoring program focuses on cooperative learning and building relationships between volunteer community scientists and students. Through this collaborative structure, the program is designed for longevity in collecting macroinvertebrate and habitat data throughout the county each fall and spring, and aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Provide new and continuous macroinvertebrate collection and habitat assessment data that will assist in assessing the success of any restoration projects and updating the watershed management plan;

• Educate and collaboratively engage Eaton County residents, students, and other stakeholders in monitoring, upholding quality, and protecting water resources; and

• Identify or verify problem areas where degradation has occurred and where future remediation efforts or best management practices can be implemented.

What is MiCorps?

The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) is a network of volunteers going out to gather water quality data from streams, rivers, and lakes. This data is then compiled and shared with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to help determine best management practices and protection programs for areas of concern.

Eaton Conservation District is partnered with The University of Olivet to participate in the stream monitoring program, monitoring the quality of our streams through the populations of macroinvertebrates found in the area.