March: In like a lion (or was it really a lamb?), out like a...wobbly woodcock!

Greetings!  In our first post since wrapping up last year's sampling effort, we're pleased to provide this fantastic shot of an American woodcock that we stumbled upon while collecting data at a Greenland stormwater-outfall site last week.  Have you ever been timberdoodling and heard their unique "peent" call on the ground, or the distinct wing whistling as they fly in a spiral overhead?  As for the wobbling, they are most peculiar in the way that they rock back and forth as they step along in the underbrush.  Their wobbling is sometimes thought to be a way for uprooting worms (their primary source of food), but knowing how close we were to this little creature, it's suspected that they do so as a camouflage strategy--one that is quite amusing!  It resembled leaf litter in the wind!

As for WRWC volunteers, we, too, are a bit wobbly and needing to stretch our wings outdoors.  A perfect opportunity came along when Dr. Steve Jones from the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory approached the WRWC for help on a study to assess citizen involvement in local stormwater monitoring.  Steve is the project coordinator for the Citizen Research Volunteers program, which is based out of the Lab.  For more information, or to volunteer a couple hours once a week for the next 4-6 rounds, contact us!  Happy Spring!

How Does VRAP Work?

Serious water quality testing volunteers hard at work!  :)

It is expected that our results will be compiled and analyzed over the next couple of months.  As soon as the report is released it will be posted here!

From the NHDES website for VRAP information:

During the summer months, VRAP receives water quality data from trained volunteers. The data are reviewed for quality assurance, and are entered into the environmental monitoring database (EMD) at DES. During the off-season, VRAP interprets the data and compiles the results into an annual report for each river. VRAP volunteers can use the data as a means of understanding the details of water quality, as well as guide future sampling efforts. DES can use the data for making surface water quality assessments, provided that the data met certain quality assurance/quality control guidelines.

Remains of a former grist mill, Stratham, NH

During our last biological sampling day we came across these old grist mill wheels at the Winnicut Rd. bridge site in Stratham.  An old photo of the former mill was found online, as was a cool graphic on how a grist mill operated.  Interesting stuff!  Make a mental note of the various parts and pieces you see in the photos, then see below for details.

The former Winnicut Mill in Stratham, NH, in ~1937/8...

This mill functioned in the 1930's. In this picture the river is flowing to the left (to the north, that is), which means the perspective is from the northwest, looking southeast. Imagine the 4-way intersection of Union Rd. and Winnicutt Rd. in Stratham behind you if you were the photographer. The present day Winnicut River Farm  would be off the photo's right, and the Golf Club of New England off the left.

To see how grist mills operated, click here for a unique graphic that was created as part of a collaborative project between a 6th grade class in Amherst, MA, and a computer technology group from UMass Amherst.  Cool stuff!

Interested in historic mill use on the Winnicut River? From the historical Weeks Brick House and Gardens website:  The first dam, millpond, and sawmill on the Winnicut River were constructed by Philip Lewis & Isaac Cole about 1660, near what is now the intersection of the river and Rte. 33. Between 1670 and 1790, seven sawmills and gristmills were built on the upper Winnicut River. In the early 18th century, additional mills were constructed further up the Winnicut, about one mile south of the river's Rte. 33 intersection.

Third and final VBAP site

Yet another great day for sampling for aquatic insects in the Winnicut River was had on Wednesday, September 14th.  Exeter volunteer David Loch assisted WRWC project director Jean Eno (perhaps the other way around!), and Andy Gould from the Coastal Program also helped.

Biotic scores will be posted as soon as the data sheets are completed.  These scores are indicative of the kinds of insects found during sampling, with values assigned to certain insects having various tolerances to polluted water conditions.  We found some insects that are somewhat intolerant of polluted water, which is a good thing, but while a positive consideration at first glance, it would have been more reassuring if we had found insects that are outright intolerant of unhealthy water.

Exeter volunteer David Loch collects the day's bucket of water for holding the 5 samples that will be collected via kicknet.  He is just downstream of the bridge on Winnicut Rd. in Stratham, NH.

This little branch of the Winnicut main stem has just the right depth and riffling for our purposes!

The bridge is hard to see here, but it runs right to left near the top of the photo.  So, looking upstream. 

Facing upstream.  Winnicut Rd. bridge in Stratham.  Notice the old timbers from the former grist mill that once stood at this location.

"Scrubbing" for bugs!  The flow of the water pushes insects and debris scrubbed off the rocks straight into the net.  After 30+ seconds of scrubbing by hand, one volunteer will then use their feet for kicking up gravel, which also helps send insects into the net. 

The flow from the left (immediately to David's left) and the flow from the right (over by where the bucket sits) are the result of a secondary culvert next to the bridge which splits the main stem for a brief time.

Once under the bridge and through the culvert, the river returns to one stem.  Here, the camera is facing downstream from the Winnicut Rd. bridge in Stratham, NH  

Armed and Dangerous!

Look out, bugs, no rock will be left unturned!

Okay, that's not true.

Sampling for biological indicators of water quality, i.e. aquatic "bugs," commenced on Friday, September 9, 2011.  Great day!  From left: Kevin Lucey, Restoration Coordinator, Coastal Program, NHDES; Jean Eno, Winnicut Project Director, New Hampshire Rivers Council; Sally Soule, Supervisor, Coastal Watershed Assistance Section, NHDES; and, Andrew Gould, biologist, Coastal Program, NHDES

Biological monitoring begins!

With September here and only two water quality sampling days to go, the time is right for sampling aquatic insects in various streams and sections of the Winnicut River.  So far, we have identified four areas where there's potential for sampling.  This site, which is part of some conserved land in Stratham, certainly makes this kind of work all the more worth it!

Standing on a Volkswagon-size boulder, looking south (upstream).  This ~200' section will be perfect for "scrubbing for bugs" (lifting rocks and looking underneath!) as it has many of the conditions that are suitable for them: shallow, flowing current, and lots of rocks, gravel and sand for a riverbed.  "Riffles" are what we look for--water splashing over rocks.

Exeter volunteer David Loch, who has a background in biology and macroinvertebrate sampling (macroinvertebrates are large aquatic organisms), assesses the center of the river's current.

WRWC at EPA OSV Bold "Open Boat" day

While hot and humid on Sunday, many people visited the OSV Bold.  Guests to the WRWC table received fun stickers, Iams dog bones, and doggie waste baggies for pledging to pick up after their pet!

Lots of new hands were added to the 'Just One Hand' board, with more than 40 new pledges collected by day's end.

We were welcomed aboard in the truest of gracious hosting.  Chef Amanda knocked out a luncheon buffet to suit all dietary requirements, and her dessert table--complete with tartlets and cheesecakes and cupcakes--was scrumptious!