On January 30 (or earlier, see Severe Weather Statement below), organizations throughout the Delaware River watershed and beyond will host stream sampling events. Community scientists and volunteers will collect chloride and conductivity data for a Winter Salt Snapshot during Winter Salt Week.

This stream and river monitoring event provides participants with local salt pollution data and information that they can use for education and outreach with municipal governments, local leaders, and the public. Stroud Center scientists will use the snapshot data to produce a high-resolution map of salt concentrations in regional streams.

The Stroud Center will provide support, resources, and regular email updates to registered snapshot participants. All resources will be made easily accessible as online folders and files.

Resources

• Comprehensive guidance document.
• 2026 Resources for Winter Salt Snapshot Event Organizers (includes the guidance document, snapshot data sheet, and communication materials such as email, social media, and media templates).

Severe Weather Statement

Most participants in the Winter Salt Snapshot are expecting severe winter weather during Winter Salt Week. The Stroud Center is offering some clarification on sampling recommendations:

• Friday, January 30 remains the target date for salt snapshot sampling.
• If that doesn’t work, try to complete your sampling and measurements before January 30.
• If that’s not possible, then it’s perfectly fine to do it all after January 30.
• SAFETY FIRST. Do what makes sense for your group to travel to the sites, reach the stream, and collect samples. The first priority is for you to be safe and have fun.

Questions? Contact David Bressler.

Get Your Streamwater Tested

If you would like to take samples but do not have the materials to analyze them, you can bring them to an event listed below. Please follow these instructions:

1. Download and print the salt snapshot sample data sheet. (This is optional, but will expedite testing at the event.)
2. While at your sample site, record the location as precisely as possible by dropping a pin in a mapping app on your phone.
3. Collect about two cups of water in a clean container for each sample.
4. Fill out the data form with your sample information.
5. Bring your samples and data form to one of the events listed below.

Attend an Event

Hosted by Stroud Water Research Center

• Salt Pollution Water Testing Event in Harrisburg, Pa., Monday, January 26. POSTPONED until March 25.
• Salt Pollution Water Testing Event in West Chester, Pa., Friday, January 30.

Hosted by Partner Organizations

Questions? Check the event page/contact listed in the last column of the table.

Organization(s)	Watershed(s) Being Sampled	Event Date/Time	Drop-off/Meet-up Location	Event Page or Contact
Aldan Tree Tenders	Darby Creek watershed, Lobb’s Run	January 30, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Aldan Swim Club, 304 N Elm Ave, Aldan, PA 19018	Aldantreestenders@gmail.com
Delaware County Office of Sustainability, Delaware County Conservation District, Pennsylvania SeaGrant, and Penn State Master Watershed Stewards	Multiple	Sample drop-off will be available at multiple locations from January 25 to February 2.	See the list.
Greenprint Organization	Schuylkill River Watershed	January 30, 2 to 3 p.m.	The Willows Park, 490 Darby Paoli Rd, Villanova, PA 19085	nadia.dougherty@icloud.com
Media Borough Environmental Advisory Committee	Broomall’s Run	January 27, 12:30 to 2 p.m.	Entrance to Glen Providence Park, 3rd. and West Ave, Media, PA 19063	hrkotch@gmail.com
Media Borough Environmental Advisory Committee	Gayley’s Run	January 30, 12:30 to 2 p.m.	Houtman Park, West Lincoln St., just north of Park Ave, Media, PA 19063	hrkotch@gmail.com
Neshaminy Watershed Association	Neshaminy Creek, Tohickon Creek, and part of the Delaware River	January 30, 5 to 7 p.m.	Penn State Extension Bucks County, 576 Penns Park Rd, Newtown, PA 18940	https://neshaminy-watershed.org/
Newlin Grist Mill	West Branch of Chester Creek	January 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	219 South Cheyney Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342	jshahan@newlingristmill.org
Philadelphia Master Watershed Stewards	Cobb’s, Pennypack, Poquessing, Tacony, and Wissahickon Creeks, as well as some first-order tributaries to the Schuylkill River	January 30, 1 to 5 p.m.	Education Center for the Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh Street, Philadelphia, PA 19138	abingph@verizon.net
Pickering Creek Watershed Master Watershed Stewards, Environmental Advisory Committees, and Montgomery School	Pickering Creek	January 30, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Montgomery School, 1141 Kimberton Rd, Chester Springs, PA 19425	mnem.np@gmail.com or sarahn707@aol.com
Three Rivers Waterkeeper	Headwaters of the Ohio River Basin (southwestern Pa.) / Pittsburgh	January 30, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Three Rivers Waterkeeper, 800 Vinial St # B314, Pittsburgh, PA 15212	http://3rwk.org/saltwatch
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership	Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed	January 30, 1 to 5 p.m.	Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust BLBB Field Station, 2955 Edge Hill Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006	https://ttfwatershed.org/event/2026-winter-salt-week-sampling/
Valley Forge Trout Unlimited	Valley Creek	January 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.	East Whiteland Township building on Rt. 401 (Conestoga Rd.) near the intersection with Rt. 202	phtrout@comcast.net
Westtown Environmental Advisory Committee	Goose Creek	January 30, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.	Goose Creek Park, Behind 840 E Street Rd, West Chester, PA 19382	bobyeats@comcast.net
Winterthur – Delaware Master Naturalists	Brandywine Creek Watershed	January 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Winterthur Museum & Garden, 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807. At the entrance gate, the guard will direct you to the meeting location.	abrahab2@gmail.com
Wissahickon Environmental Center	Wissahickon Creek	January 30, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.	Wissahickon Environmental Center, 992 Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128	https://www.facebook.com/WissahickonEC/

Sample drop-off dates and locations for Delaware County groups and individuals who sample but cannot analyze their samples (coordinated by Delaware County Office of Sustainability, Delaware County Conservation District, Pennsylvania SeaGrant, and Penn State Master Watershed Stewards):

• Boothwyn: Drop-off box available on January 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop samples off at Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building, 8500 Furey Road, Boothwyn, PA 19061.  
• Chester: Date/time TBD. Leave samples with Public Safety, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013.
• Media: An outdoor collection box with labels will be available from January 25 through February 2. Staff will be available to assist on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Drop samples off at Delaware County Conservation District, Rose Tree Park, 1521 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063.
• Newtown Square: Date/time TBD. Drop samples off at Willistown Conservancy Trust, 925 Providence Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073.
• Springfield: An outdoor collection box with labels will be available from January 25 through February 1. Administrative staff will be available to assist on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Drop samples off at Penn State Extension Offices, Smedley Park Lewis House, 20 Paper Mill Road, Springfield, PA 19064.