Thompson Creek is “Adopted”
We were thrilled to host South Carolina’s Adopt-a-Stream (SCAAS) workshop at the Southern 8ths Field Station, marking a key step in launching our own water monitoring program at the Carolina Wildlands Foundation. Led by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), the workshop brought together nine participants—four of our staff and four community members—all eager to learn and contribute to local conservation efforts.
The day began in our learning center with introductions, followed by an informational session on the rules and regulations of the SCAAS program. The presentation highlighted years of collected water quality data on the property, underscoring the importance of water monitoring. Many of us took meticulous notes—after all there was a certification test to pass!
After lunch, we were energized and ready for the hands-on portion of the training. Armed with monitoring kits that included testing chemicals, sampling vials, color charts, and a Transparency Tube we moved to Thompson creek for hands-on training.
The Transparency Tube was particularly intriguing—it helps determine the turbidity, or clarity, of the water. Following the proper procedures, we measured the water’s transparency by releasing it slowly from the tube until the black-and-white Secchi disk became visible, and then recorded our results in centimeters. This practical experience was invaluable, as it connected the concepts we learned in the classroom to real-world applications.
After the outdoor session, we strolled back to the learning center for the certification test. Everyone passed! Southern 8ths will now be officially listed as a monitoring site for the SC Adopt-a-Stream Program.
Our participation in this program is more than just a training exercise; it serves as the foundation for our larger water monitoring goals. The Adopt-A-Stream program provides the baseline data and structure we need to create our own monitoring initiative. Since there are no other active monitoring sites in this part of the state, our contributions to the statewide database will help fill a critical gap. If one of our samples ever falls outside the standard water quality bracket, SCDES will be immediately notified, ensuring a quick response to any potential issues!
By participating in the program and sampling each site monthly, we aim to track the health of our local waterways while contributing valuable data to support statewide water quality comparisons, helping to protect the Carolina Wildlands and our local watershed for future generations.
Author: Anna Anderson – Carolina Wildlands Watershed Steward
