June marks a time when may streams are actively changing. This could be from spring snow melt, rainstorms, or the end of the a rainy season. June also marks the start of the Stream Track-a-thon, a two week challenge to visit or establish as many Stream Tracker points as Stream Trackers can! What this will create is a snapshot in time describing the flow conditions at the start of the summer. We will hold another Stream Track-a-thon at the end of September to see which channels are still flowing and which have dried up.
Want to join in!? Here is how to get involved:
1. If you haven't yet, join the project on CitSci.org. This allows you to access the Stream Tracker datasheets and enter data either online or through the CitSci.org mobile application.
2. Check the website for a complete list of Stream Tracker points. During the Stream Track-a-thon, this list will be updated to show both established sites and new sites. It is up to you if you visit a new site or an established site. Make sure you visit the sites you have been regularly visiting!
3. Check out the New Site and Established Site guides for how to get started Stream Tracking
4. Get out there and visit the sites! Use the CitSci.org mobile application to enter the flow condition of each stream point, and snap a photo. Photos are especially important to provide more information about the stream conditions.
5. Earn prizes! Your name will be entered into a drawing one time for every observation you make. Increase your chances by contributing more observations! We will draw names for prizes at the end of the Stream Track-a-thon.
Why participate? We will conduct an additional Stream Track-a-thon at the end of the water year in September to see how sites have changed. See the results from the 2017 September Stream Track-a-thon.
Tell us your Stream Tracking stories from the road or trail! Email info@streamtracker.org, or on twitter use the hashtag #StreamTracker to share your photos!