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Help us help the River!
Help us help the River!
Two ways to help - as a stream sampler or in our lab:
Stream Sampler:
Collect water samples from SSS stream monitoring site(s) using the sampling kit provided. Join one of our sampling teams or go with a friend!
Time commitment: 1-1.5 hours per month, on the 2nd Saturday morning of March-November (as you are available).
Optional: help as a sample runner, bringing your team's samples to SSS Drop-off at Ike's Lodge (Izaak Walton League, 544 Branch Hill-Loveland Road in Loveland).
Before going sampling, all volunteers need to:
Attend our in-person training February 28th (details below) or watch this Sampler training video (link here)
Complete a volunteer waiver form (link here)
Interested? Please email Volunteer@SaturdayStreamSnapshot.org or sign up here:
This is the mandatory annual training for Saturday Stream Snapshot, Mill Creek Alliance and Rivers Unlimited. Returning and new volunteers are encouraged to attend in person. Light snacks, coffee, tea, and water will be provided.
This is the mandatory annual training for Saturday Stream Snapshot, Mill Creek Alliance and Rivers Unlimited. Returning and new volunteers are encouraged to attend in person. Light snacks, coffee, tea, and water will be provided.
Volunteers will learn why their training and methods are such an important part of the data collection process. We'll also review how we keep this data at Level 2 Ohio EPA standards and why that's important. Then, we'll review important safety tips, basic lab practices, and field sample collection procedures.
Volunteers will learn why their training and methods are such an important part of the data collection process. We'll also review how we keep this data at Level 2 Ohio EPA standards and why that's important. Then, we'll review important safety tips, basic lab practices, and field sample collection procedures.
Register Today!
In-person Sampler Training: Feb. 28th, 2026
In-person Sampler Training: Feb. 28th, 2026
Join fellow water quality supporters at our first-ever regional sampler training event.
When: February 28th, 2026, 9am -11am
Where: Hamilton County Conservation District Training Center,
2710 E Kemper Rd., Sharonville, OH
How: Click below to register!
Contact: keith.robinson@hamiltoncountyohio.gov (513) 946-8020
Lab Analyst:
Learn how to properly handle water samples and use the equipment provided in our SSS lab in Loveland. As part of our lab team, you'll work under the supervision of a certified lab analyst.
Process volunteer-collected water samples to help us measure one of these important water quality indicators: Nitrate-Nitrogen, Phosphates, Conductivity, Turbidity, pH, Optical Brighteners or E. Coli and Total Coliforms.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours, between 9am - 1pm, on the 2nd Saturday of each month from March - November (as you are available).
Interested? Please email Volunteer@SaturdayStreamSnapshot.org OR sign up on our 2026 Volunteer Interest Form here, selecting the lab option for each month.
FAQs:
FAQs:
Do I have to be available every month? No! Just let us know when you can help - and when you can't.
Can I recruit others? Yes, please do! It's always more fun with a friend!
Can I switch jobs? Yes, just let us know and we will get you trained.
Can I switch sample sites? Yes, email Volunteer@saturdaystreamsnapshot.org and we'll let you know which sites are available.
What if I take bottles and need to skip a month? No worries, just please let us know that you can't sample so we can find a backup. And the bottles? Just save them in a clean, dry location and don't open then; they'll be ready to use next time. If you can't sample again, please contact your team lead to return them.
What do these analyses tell us?
What do these analyses tell us?
Site conditions where the sample was collected help us interpret the data, providing valuable information about potential water issues at the location.
Bacteria data help identify possible problems with leaking sewers or failing septic systems and indicate whether the water is safe for body contact.
Nitrate-Nitrogen and Total Phosphates are two pollutants identified in the main stem of the Little Miami River. This information helps us identify possible sources from tributaries. Nitrates are the primary contaminants causing the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico and the source is tributary streams of the Mississippi River watershed.
Sediment is another issue and turbidity measurements help us see where the sediment is coming from.
pH and conductivity are two general measurements water quality professionals use to identify problems.
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