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Youth Water Monitors

The Youth Water Quality Monitoring Program has been paused indefinitely. Please see our Education Flyer for updated programs.

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Join the Fun!

Youth monitors range from ages 8-17 and 3rd through 10th grade.
  • Step 1 - Find your spot: Pick a location on any branch of the river that suits you. You'll visit for the next 8 weeks to test different aspects of the water quality. You'll measure things like temperature, PH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, bacteria, nitrates, phosphates, and turbidity.
  • Step 2 - Test the water: Get a FREE kit with everything you need to assess the water quality. You'll have access to videos and instructions to make testing the water easy and fun!
  • Step 3 - Submit your results: Make a real impact on the river by submitting your results each week. Your data will help us track the river's health and spot any problems. You can also compare your data with other youth monitors and see which branches are cleanest.

How Do Your Results Compare?

Follow the links below to see National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s results. Once on the page, select “decoded data” for more details. 

Check what you measure! TW = temperature,  WS = salinity, WO = dissolved oxygen (ppm), WX = dissolved oxygen % saturation, HM = tide height, WP = pH, WT = turbidity

Eastern Branch
Lafayette Branch
Southern Branch

Spring 2025
Water Quality Monitoring Results
April 5th-May 9th

Our Youth Water Monitors spend 8 weeks on the water testing temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, bacteria, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity and salinity using a LaMotte Earth Force Low-Cost Water Quality Monitoring Kit. All of their results are posted here each week, so we can all keep track of the river’s health. This data is recorded for educational purposes only.

Week 5 results (may 3rd-may 9th)

Previous Week’s Results

What Our Monitors Measure

Ph

Ph is a measure of acidity in the water. Too much acidity can be harmful to shellfish. A healthy Ph level In the Elizabeth River is between 7 & 8.

Bacteria

Fecal coliform bacteria comes from both wild animals and domestic pets and washes into the river with stormwater and flooding. That’s why it’s so important for pet owners to scoop the poop!

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

A healthy level of breathable water for the river’s marine life is 4 parts per million or above.

Nitrates and Phosphates

Nitrates and phosphates are important nutrients for many plants and animals; however, too much of either can be harmful. Landscape fertilizer runoff creates algae blooms that decrease the dissolved oxygen marine life needs. A healthy level in the Elizabeth River is under 5 parts per million for nitrates and 4 parts per million for phosphates.

Temperature

Fish and crustaceans like blue crabs can’t regulate their own body temperature. Marine life in the Elizabeth River enjoy a moderate water temperature between 32 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Turbidity

Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High turbidity can make it hard for birds like Osprey to find fish. A healthy level in the Elizabeth is around 100 JTU (Jackson Turbidity Units) or less.

Salinity

Salinity is how much salt is present in water and is typically measured in ppt or parts per thousand.

Ryan Resilience Lab Event Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

NOTE: This form does not confirm your reservation, reservations are confirmed upon ERP receipt of signed contract and paid deposit.

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*Rates include up to 3 hours for meetings on weekdays and weeknights, and 6 hours for events on the weekends, including setup and takedown. Additional time will be billed at 20% per hour
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Our maximum for indoor seated events is 85 theater style and 45 classroom style. For standing receptions, the maximum is 100 indoors or 125 indoor-outdoor.
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We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved(Required)
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We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved

If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these Ryan Lab policies:

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Yes, we will adhere to start and end times (15-minute leeway) and will return the space to the condition in which you found it.(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the Ryan Lab. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Learning Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
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Youth Water Monitoring Results

Entry Data

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Sample Data

Bacteria

Observations

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