Annapolis River Guardians

What have the River Guardians found from the data?

In general, the Annapolis River is quite healthy. The most obvious
environmental concern is the presence of fecal coliform bacteria which could
indicate the presence of harmful bacteria and viruses. The SPM are relatively
low meaning that the water is quite clear. pH (a measure of acidity), is
relatively good due to geological and ground water characteristics. Dissolved
oxygen in the river has been consistently high, however, there are times when
it has dropped to unacceptable levels. The Annapolis River Guardians are the
volunteers that make the program work. They are members of the communities
within the Annapolis River Watershed who are interested in the quality of their
environment. Their ranks include engineers, business people, homemakers,
craftsmen, teachers and students. Annapolis River and it's Tributaries.

What are the objectives of the Annapolis River Guardians Project?
There are four main objectives:
-To establish and support a regular observation system which will provide an
early warning of environmental problems;
-To provide a long term record of the river's health;
-To develop interest in the Annapolis River and community stewardship to ensure
a viable resource for future generations; and
-To provide a knowledgeable group of local individuals who can promote the
preservation, rehabilitation, and use of these estuarine resources in the
future.

The parameters monitored by the Annapolis River Guardians have varied
throughout the years. The following parameters have been monitored continuously
since the start of the program: fecal coliform bacteria, dissolved oxygen, air
and water temperature, and weather conditions. Additional parameters that have
been sampled periodically include: nitrate, chlorophyll a, chloride, sulphate,
pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, total suspended solids,
colour and transparency. Sampling takes place from April to December. During
January through March, sampling is discontinued due to freeze up.