Want to Get Involved in Community Science?

Stroud Water Research Center is planning a community science stream monitoring event this fall. Water sampling will assess salt pollution levels and patterns in streams and rivers, helping researchers and community members better understand how road salt accumulates across different landscapes. 

The intention for this fall event will be to sample during baseflow conditions when water levels are stable and not influenced by storm runoff (i.e., when the water in the stream is originating from groundwater/water table) within a two-week sample window (October 1–15).

The salt snapshot provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to generate data illustrating that road salt contaminates our watersheds year-round. This data will help start local conversations and shine a public spotlight on this critical water quality issue. The level of road salt contamination highly depends on how much road salt private applicators and municipalities use and how they handle it. Therefore, local data are a vital part of the conversation.  

To get involved:

• Review the introductory email about the fall salt snapshot.
• Review the snapshot guidance document.
• Refer to the above documents and others in the 2025 Fall Snapshot Resources for Event Organizers folder.
• Register with a watershed group to participate. All are welcome.

Questions? Please get in touch with Community Science Facilitator David Bressler at dbressler@stroudcenter.org. 

Learn More

• Discover how road salt is polluting fresh water.
• Read the recap of our winter salt snapshot, “Winter Salt Week Unites Those Concerned About Fresh Water.”
• View the data on a winter salt map.