Over Twenty-Five Volunteer So Far To Monitor Lake Eufaula Over Twenty-Five Volunteer So Far To Monitor Lake Eufaula
Save Our Water, Inc. (SOW) and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) is seeking citizen volunteers to monitor water quality conditions in Lake Eufaula .
MEDIA RELEASE: Sept. 4, 2006 Contact: Karen Weldin
For Immediate Release 918-452-3184 or 918-605-7405 cell
(EUFUALA – OKLAHOMA CITY ) – Over twenty-five people have responded so far to the call from Save Our Water, Inc. and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to monitor water quality conditions in Lake Eufaula . Initial training for these volunteers will be held on Thursday September 14 th from 9:00 to 3:30 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 3rd and High Street , Eufaula , Oklahoma .
Certified volunteers will be asked to collect and analyze water quality samples on a monthly basis from sites extending from Lake Eufaula dam to the upper end of the reservoir. It is preferred, but not necessary, that all volunteers have access to a boat or similar watercraft.
There is still time to for others to volunteer and reserve a space for the training by calling 918-452-3184 or by emailing kweldin@crosstel.net . The training is free.
The training is being conducted by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board's Water Watch Program and sponsored by Save Our Water, Inc. The Water Watch Program is a community-based statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program.
“The response has been great so far, “said Save Our Water President Karen Weldin. “We must focus on protecting and preserving both quantity and quality of water in Lake Eufaula . Obviously our members and volunteers agree. I hope many more people will sign up before September 14th.”
Water Board staff will train local citizen volunteers on various water quality concepts and accepted training techniques. At the minimum, participants in the study will measure water clarity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH and ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and orthophosphate levels. Samples should be collected each month. All necessary sampling equipment will be provided by the OWRB. Volunteers do not need prior science background to participate.
Those interested in volunteering and attending the September 14th training should contact Karen Weldin at 918-452-3184 or email kweldin@crosstel.net and reserve a space. For more information on the Water Watch Program, visit the OWRB's Web site at www.owrb.state.ok.us or contact Hannah Harder at 405-530-8800 or hrharder@owrb.state.ok.us.
Save Our Water, Inc.'s mission is to preserve and protect Lake Eufaula and all Oklahoma 's water resources.
For more information, go to www.saveourwaterlakeeufaula.com
or call 918-452-3184.