Partner Monitoring
When is Partner Monitoring Performed?
Although freshwater harmful algal blooms (FHABs) are generally considered seasonal, partner monitoring can be implemented year-round. The seasonality of FHABs can shift from year to year depending on environmental factors such as recent weather. Further, consistent monitoring is recommended to better understand the cyanobacteria present, and environmental drivers to inform prevention and/or mitigation of the FHAB. That being said, many programs increase the frequency of their monitoring during their waterbody's "FHAB season."
Who Can Assist?
Partners are vital to helping the Water Boards strategically expand monitoring for FHABs, increase public transparency about where and when it is safe to recreate, and collect the appropriate data to prevent and mitigate for FHABs. To implement a holistic program, land managers, state agencies, tribes, counties, water districts, universities, health agencies, federal agencies, citizen scientists, and non-profits are encouraged to participate. The Water Boards can provide training and technical assistance in designing the project and in interpreting results.
#2 Monitoring Design CA HABs Final Tony Olsen 06112019.pdfHow do I pick what type of monitoring to do?
Effective FHAB monitoring programs are tailored to fit the needs of the specific waterbody and monitoring team involved. When determining the type(s) of monitoring that are best for you, consider the looking through the adjacent document.
What questions are your team trying to answer? What data do you need to answer these questions? What scale of measurements would be most helpful to answer your questions?
What levels of expertise does your team have? How much time do they have to invest in monitoring?
What resources does your team have for this? What is your team's budget? Do you have access to a boat?
For more information on monitoring visit the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) Monitoring Program webpage.
Partner Monitoring flyer.pdfYou can distribute this flyer to those you wish to encourage to participate in partner monitoring.
Types of Monitoring
Can identify if a bloom is beneficial algae or harmful cyanobacteria
Addresses the bloom at a single point
Minimal cost
Qualitative data
Can identify if a bloom is producing cyanotoxins
Can identify what types of toxins are produced
Addresses the bloom at a single point
Medium cost
Qualitative or semi-quantitative data
Can identify what cyanobacteria are in a sample
Can identify what cyanotoxins are in a sample
Can identify how much cyanotoxin is a sample
Addresses the bloom at a single point
High cost
Quantitative data
If you are looking for more information on how to perform continuous monitoring, known as SPATT Monitoring of Benthic HABs visit this webpage.
*Note that the continuous monitoring webpage is still in draft form
Need more help?
Explore the ITRC Monitoring Tool which has great information on
How to build an individualized monitoring program based on your situation
In-depth comparisons of various monitoring methods