Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I monitor?
What bodies of water can VA SOS monitoring be conducted in?
Our protocol is for freshwater, non-tidal rivers and streams. It cannot be conducted in lakes, saltwater, or brackish water.
Creek critters, Salt Watch, and Nitrate Watch can be conducted in any body of water!
Can I monitor in the tidewater region of VA?
The VASOS protocol is only for freshwater streams and will not calculate a proper stream score in tidally influenced streams. The streams in the tidewater region of VA, shown in the purple outline below, tend to be tidally influenced, so VASOS monitoring cannot be conducted there.
Creek critters, Salt Watch, and Nitrate Watch can be conducted in any body of water!
Can I keep monitoring if I move out of Virginia?
If you move out of state but want to continue stream monitoring, the best way to ensure your data gets used is to connect with a local water monitoring organization. To find organizations near you, check out the interactive map at volunteermonitoring.org.
When can I monitor?
When is the VA SOS monitoring season?
VA DEQ accepts monitoring data from March 1 – May 31 (Spring season) and from September 1 – November 30 (Fall season). VASOS accepts data year-round, however, so feel free to also submit data outside these windows.
Can I monitor in heavy rain or drought conditions?
Volunteers are not to conduct their normal sampling within one week of heavy rainfall (approximately more than 1 inch of rainfall in rural areas or ½ inch of rainfall in urban areas). During drought conditions, it is fine to monitor as long as water is flowing over riffles and is at least 3 inches deep. Do not monitor if water is standing or too low to flow. The best time to sample a stream is during its average conditions for that season. You can use the USGS stream gauge website as a guide.
Certification
What happens if my VA SOS certification lapses?
Monitors must submit data at least once every two years to maintain their certification. If you do not meet this requirement, you will receive a notice via email that your certification has expired. The email will contain information on how to recertify – a simple and completely online process. If you think your certification has expired and you have not received an email, contact vasos@iwla.org.
What does a VA SOS trainer do? How can I become one?
VA SOS trainers can train and certify new monitors. To become a VA SOS trainer you must have been certified as a monitor for at least 6 months and have completed at least two monitoring events. Once you’ve met these requirements, you can attend two trainings with VA SOS staff – one virtual and one in-person – to become certified as a trainer. Trainers must hold at least one training and certify at least one new monitor each year. If you are interested in becoming a trainer, email vasos@iwla.org.
Can a certified monitor take a group of non-certified people out to monitor?
Yes! Only one certified monitor is required to be present at a monitoring event.
Macroinvertebrates
What if I didn’t collect enough bugs in my sample?
For the Rocky Bottom method, you either need 200+ bugs or 4 nets, at least 3 of which are the full 90 seconds, for your data to be approved. If you didn’t get 200 bugs, but you took all 4 nets, your sample is still valid.
For the Muddy Bottom method, you must either collect 100+ non-scuds or pick all 4 quadrants of your sample. If you didn’t get 100 non-scuds, but you picked all 4 quadrants, your sample is still valid. Make a note in your data submission that you picked all 4 quadrants.
Should I count invasive species in my sample?
Yes. In Virginia there are both native and invasive varieties of clams and crayfish. It can be difficult to differentiate between them, so please include all clams and crayfish you find as part of your sample. If you think the ones you found are invasive, indicate that in the sampling notes section of your data submission.
Why aren’t common net-spinning caddisflies included in the Muddy Bottom Protocol metrics?
Most caddisflies are very pollution sensitive, with the exception of common net-spinning caddisflies, which are pollution tolerant. So common net-spinners are not in the same category as mayflies, stoneflies, and most caddisflies. They are still a vital part of our scoring system, however, since they are counted towards the total number of bugs collected, so make sure to count them all!
Teachers
Do my students need to get certified to monitor?
No, only one certified monitor needs to be present, so as long as you (the teacher) are certified, you can collect and submit data. Your students do not need to get certified to monitor with you.
How can I get a large number of students out in the stream without causing it harm?
Too many kids at one time in one area can be detrimental to the stream, but if you space them out distance-wise and timing-wise, you can minimize the impact. We recommend giving the stream a few weeks of a break between classrooms/groups. Each time you take a group out, stagger the stream sites by at least 50 feet or so. Try to have a controlled monitoring process (i.e., a few kids at a time take one net at a time, rather than a free-for-all with a bunch of nets at once). This is especially important if you’re going to be submitting the data to VA SOS. Have the kids put the rocks back where they were.