River Watch Site Assessment

Matt Young, the Illinois River Watch coordinator, provides an instructional video on selecting and marking a River Watch site. He emphasizes the importance of choosing a safe, accessible, and consistently wet site to ensure effective monitoring. The video details the process of marking a 200-foot section using a tape measure and flags. Additionally, it covers creating a site sketch from an aerial perspective, noting features like flow direction and habitat types, and optionally taking photos for documentation.

What is a key safety consideration when selecting a River Watch site?

• The site should be in a forested area.

• The site should be near a road.

• The site should have deep water.

• The site should be weighable and not too fast or deep.

Why is it important to ensure the site does not dry up frequently?

• To avoid muddy conditions.

• To prevent erosion.

• To ensure the presence of macro invertebrates.

• To make it easier to access.

What should you do before visiting your River Watch site?

• Check the weather forecast for the next week.

• Check for recent rain events.

• Bring a picnic.

• Invite friends.

How long is the section that should be marked off for River Watch?

• 100 feet

• 150 feet

• 250 feet

• 200 feet

What tool is used to measure the River Watch site?

• A ruler

• A laser measure

• A 100t tape measure

• A yardstick

From what perspective should a site sketch be drawn?

• Side view

• Ground level view

• Underwater view

• Aerial view

What should be included in a site sketch?

• The direction of the flow and interesting features

• The weather conditions

• The time of day

• The names of the people present

Why is it important to create a site sketch every year?

• To keep a record of the weather

• To practice drawing skills

• To compare changes over time

• To remember the site location

What is an optional step for documenting your River Watch site?

• Writing a report

• Collecting soil samples

• Taking water samples

• Taking photos of the site

Which photo angles are suggested for documenting the site?

• Morning, noon, and evening

• Sky view, ground view, and side view

• Left bank, right bank, and center

• Upstream, downstream, and a cross-section