The Haw River Watch Project, sponsored by the Haw River Assembly, gives us a clearer picture of the health of the Haw River by determining the type and location of pollution sources. The heart of this effort are four seasonal "snapshots" performed each year. River Watch volunteers fan out across the tributaries and riverbanks of the Haw to check on the health of the water.
Teams are trained and equipped to monitor water quality through aquatic insect counts (and other critters in the water), pH tests, temperature and observations. We use the information to get a picture of the river in each season and to track any changes over time. Volunteers act as guardians of their streams, notifying the proper authorities if pollution is suspected. Learn more about our monitoring methods.
Interested in becoming a River Watcher? An experienced River Watcher will train you or your group. We ask River Watchers to join the Haw River Assembly, and to contribute the cost of their equipment if they can. As a Haw River Watcher, you will become part of the North Carolina Stream Watch Program.
For more information contact: Cynthia Crossen, Haw River Watch Coordinator, (919) 967-2500, riverwatch@hawriver.org
New Haw River Watch Monitoring Report, 1994 - 2008
In the spring of 2008, UNC-CH Journalism student Ru Sha put together this three-minute Documentary on the Haw River Watch project. Footage was shot at our March 29 Macro-Micro Workshop on the Haw River in Bynum.
Posted on: Thursday October 22, 2009 EST
Resources for Water Quality Questions and Concerns
Use these phone numbers and email addresses to ask stream related questions; or report water quality problems, stream mismanagement, or emergencies on a local and state level.
See A Field Guide to Aquatic Phenomena for answers to questions about the color of the water, things you see in the water, and the water's surface and shoreline.
Peaceful coexistence with beavers is possible! This article by Kim Willis explains how technology and an increased understanding of the species has made it possible to diminish and sometimes eliminate the damage to property caused by beavers-- without killing them.
Macroinvertebrate Identification Tutorials for River Watchers
As we identify macroinvertebrates to family level for the Two Streams project, we are creating tutorials for river watchers and others. The following demos show the kinds of tutorials we'll be making.
Stream Watch at the Haw River Learning Celebration
One of the fourth-graders' favorite activities at the Haw River Learning Celebration is the Stream Watch station, where we focus on the science of stream monitoring, including pH testing, temperature measurement, and a more detailed treatment of macroinvertebrates. Thanks to River Watch/Stream Steward Committee member Betsy Kraus (at River Watch) and river watchers Sharon Garbutt and her husband J.C. for the beautiful posters of the adult forms of macroinvertebrates.
Here are some comments from students at the Stream Watch station:
“I really liked seeing how the damselfly larva swam. It was beautiful and cool how they swam...side to side like a lizard coming to take a big breath. I learned a lot today. I wish I could go over there next time!” -- Trenton
“I really liked putting my hands in the river, When it was time to leave I said, “I don’t want to go home. I want to stay!”” -- Alexandra
“Thank you for letting us see the little critters. I learned how to not pollute the water and how to keep the animals in the water safe and healthy. I had a great time at the Haw River Festival.” --Michael W.
“I like the river up close because we got to see fish and some bugs in the river and the air. We got to see a turtle. I love the dancing where we all got to dance..” -- Alex
The Haw River Watch Project is grateful for support we have gotten over the years, since the beginning of the project in 1995. All of our work is made possible by the tremendous efforts of volunteers like you! Our work is funded by member dues, individual donations, fundraising events, and by grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Cemala Foundation, the REI Gives program of REI, and the NC DENR 319 Non-Point Source Pollution Prevention program.
In the spring of 2008, Ru Sha, a UNC-CH Journalism student, put together this three-minute Documentary on the Haw River Watch project. Footage was shot at our March 29 Macro-Micro Workshop on the Haw River in Bynum.
Posted on: Tuesday June 17, 2008 EST
We are very grateful for the support of REI, who helped fund the River Watch project with a grant for 2007-2008. Their funding has allowed us to expand the River Watch project.
The Haw River Watch Project, sponsored by the Haw River Assembly, gives us a clearer picture of the health of the Haw River by determining the type and location of pollution sources. The heart of this effort are four seasonal "snapshots" performed each year. River Watch volunteers fan out across the tributaries and riverbanks of the Haw to check on the health of the water.
Use these 
As we identify macroinvertebrates to family level for the Two Streams project, we are creating tutorials for river watchers and others. The following demos show the kinds of tutorials we'll be making.
One of the fourth-graders' favorite activities at the 
We are very grateful for the support of