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Lincoln River west of Jebavy Drive bridge.
SCOTTVILLE — The Mason-Lake Conservation District is seeking volunteers to help monitor the health of three area rivers during its annual fall macroinvertebrate sampling program in October.
Sampling will take place on the Little Manistee River on Saturday, Oct. 10; Big Sable River on Friday, Oct. 16; and Lincoln River on Saturday, Oct. 17. Each sampling day will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until approximately 3 p.m. Volunteers may participate for the full day or assist at a single sampling site.
Macroinvertebrates, sometimes referred to as river bugs, are small organisms that live in streams and can serve as indicators of water quality. Because different species have varying tolerances to environmental conditions, the types and numbers of organisms found can provide information about the health of a stream.
Volunteers will work as either waders or pickers. Waders enter the stream and collect rocks, leaves and woody debris, while pickers sort through the collected material along the shore and gather macroinvertebrates using simple tools.
The conservation district will provide all necessary equipment, including waders. Samples collected in the field will be preserved and later identified during laboratory sessions at the district office. Experienced volunteers will serve as team leaders at each site, and no previous experience is required.
The Little Manistee River sampling will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 10, with volunteers meeting at the Club 37 parking lot, 3803 M-37, Baldwin. Volunteers will divide into two teams to sample three sites, with the teams joining together for the third site.
The Big Sable River sampling will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 16. Participants will meet across from Docs, 9121 US-31, Free Soil. Two teams will sample two sites.
The Lincoln River sampling will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 17. Volunteers will meet at the West Shore Community College Technical Center parking lot off Stiles Road. Two teams will sample three sites and come together for the final site.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Mason-Lake Conservation District Project Manager Julia Place at 231-757-3707, ext. 5, to RSVP.
The project is funded wholly or in part through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Nonpoint Source Program.
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