Water monitoring

Rockbridge Conservation’s Watershed Committee members do hands-on field work and follow water-related problems impacting the Rockbridge area, including cleanup efforts for the Little Calfpasture River, Woods Creek and other waterways.

We also track water-related conditions of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (carcinogenic chemicals) in local waterways, the American Hardwood sawmill on Fredericksburg Road, the proposed Rocky Forge Wind Farm, and the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Learn more about Watershed Committee projects

Benthic Water Monitoring

Maury Watershed Monitors use nets to sample the aquatic insects in many streams in our area. Counting the different species provides a good gauge of the health of a creek because some creatures tolerate pollution while others do not. Maury Watershed Monitors have been checking Rockbridge waters for two decades. Data is reported to Isaac Walton League/Save our Streams, one of the primary sources used by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and is considered a Tier 2 reference.

Join the Maury Watershed Monitors

Chemical and Bacterial Monitoring

Rockbridge Water Monitors was established in 2020 to address the growing problem of E. coli in Rockbridge waters. In addition to bacterial monitoring, Rockbridge Conservation volunteers are trained by Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, and temperature. Monitors are recertified annually. Data is reported monthly to the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative/River Trends, which is a primary source for DEQ.

Join the Rockbridge Water Monitors

Public Education

MRA works to educate the public about scientific, regulatory, and political aspects of resolving the sediment pollution and dam safety issues associated with Lake Merriweather and Goshen Dam.

Our public forum in April 2024 in Rockbridge Baths was a major draw. The forum was attended by some 200 citizens and landowners, local elected officials, subject-matter experts from DEQ and DCR, and executives from DEQ’s headquarters (Richmond) and Valley Regional Office (Harrisonburg).

MRA members are available to meet with community groups in the Rockbridge area to explain key issues and hear feedback on our activities and positions. If your group would like to discuss hosting a briefing on MRA’s work, please email mra@rockbridgeconservation.org or call/text (540) 353-5282.

To see video recordings of MRA’s April 2024 forum, play the videos below or visit our YouTube page.