Haywood Waterways Association

Haywood Waterways Association
Volunteer Water Information Network (V.W.I.N.)

VOLUNTEERS HELPING OUT

Robin Minick taking water
samples on Allen's Creek

Water quality data is fundamental to understanding the conditions in our local watersheds. Chemical and physical information about the water in our streams is essential for maintaining and improving water quality. To be useful, this information must be gathered over a long period of time and in a very consistent manner. It was this basic need that led to the formation of what we now know as the Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN). This network is a partnership of groups and individuals dedicated to preserving water quality in western North Carolina. The UNC-Asheville Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) provides technical assistance through laboratory analysis of water samples, statistical analysis of results, and written interpretation of data.

In 1990, volunteers began gathering water quality samples at 27 stream sites in Buncombe County. In August of 1996, with funding from the Pigeon River Fund, Haywood County began monitoring twelve selected stream sites. Since that time, more sites have been added to bring the current total to 22 sites located in the Pigeon River watershed. Volunteers collect these samples and take measurements from designated sites at the same date and time each month. These samples are then brought to central locations and carried to Asheville for detailed chemical and physical analysis.

The water samples are analyzed for the following parameters: pH, alkalinity, turbidity, total suspended solids, conductivity, copper, lead, zinc, orthophosphate, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen. At the end of each monitoring year, EQI prepares a cumulative analysis and summary of the water quality conditions at each of the sample or monitoring sites. This information gives a snap shot of existing conditions, as well as changes over time.

In the case of the Pigeon River, this information indicates a wide variety of water quality in our streams. Some of the water is rated very good - among the best in the State. However, other sites are rated poor. The primary non-point pollutant in the Pigeon River watershed is sediment. There are also a few sites that reflect unusually high levels of nitrogen. If you would like to learn more about the sampling results, please look at the VWIN Summaries:

	Overall Summary
	2006 Summary
2005 Summary	2004 Summary	2003 Summary
2002 Summary	2001 Summary	2000 Summary
1999 Summary	1998 Summary	1997 Summary

Click here to learn more about the V.W.I.N. parameters
and what the grades indicate

If you would like to learn more about volunteering for this important work, please call Dave Dudek at 627-4564.

Haywood Waterways Association Volunteer Water Information Network (V.W.I.N.)

Haywood Waterways Association
Volunteer Water Information Network (V.W.I.N.)