Stream flow monitoring has become increasingly important since the Great Lakes Compact was passed.  Under this compact, expected changes in stream flow are used to determine if water withdrawal will have an adverse resource impact on streams.  The effect of predicated changes in base flow due to water withdrawal is used to determine if an adverse resource impact will occur.  Base flow data is based on a limited number of USGS gauging stations.  Gaps in base flow data are estimated by modeling stream flow.  While these models are good and make the best estimates possible, there is room for error where no empirical data is available.  Due to this need for additional stream flow data the MI DNRE and USGS have begun developing criteria for utilizing volunteer collected flow data.

MITU is one of the volunteer groups currently interested in developing a stream flow monitoring program.  It is critical that volunteers collect stream flow data to increase the amount of information available to regulate large-quantity water withdrawal in Michigan.  At this time the MI DNRE/USGS volunteer stream flow certification program is not yet up and running.  This means that the MITU River Keepers Program volunteers can collect stream flow data; however, the MI DNRE and USGS may not utilize it in the same way they would if it were collected by an individual certified in monitoring stream flow.  We plan to move forward with stream flow monitoring while we wait for certification to become available.  The stream flow data collected is still useful to MITU.  With this data be can identify areas that may need further monitoring in the future and begin to determine where water users may be having negative impacts of coldwater streams, we then can work together with users to try to help them reduce their impact on the stream.

If your chapter is interested in beginning a stream flow monitoring program please contact Kristin Thomas ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (616) 460-0477).