Stream monitoring involves collecting larval aquatic insects, or macroinvertebrates, to track the health of rivers and streams.

Stream monitoring programs across Michigan welcome community members to volunteer as citizen scientists to collect macroinvertebrates and calculate a water quality score for area rivers and streams.  Aquatic insects spend a large portion of their lives in streams and serve as an indicator species for water quality. 

Events

May 16, 2025

2025 Spring Stream Monitoring Identification

Learn what it takes to be a community scientist at this free event! You will help to identify the aquatic insects collected from Eaton County...

May 17, 2025

Shiawassee River National Water Trail Cleanup

Shiawassee River National Water Trail Cleanup Headwaters Trails is again asking for help to open the Shiawassee River for the upcoming paddling season, from Holly...

Featured Partner

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Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps)

The mission of MiCorps is to network and expand volunteer water quality monitoring organizations statewide for the purpose of collecting, sharing and using reliable data; educate and inform the public about water quality issues; and foster water resources stewardship to facilitate the preservation and protection of Michigan’s water resources.

Featured Producer

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Michigan Merinos and Happy Goat Lucky Ewe Fiber Farm

Established in 1987, as a hobby farm, supplies the wool for many of the products sold by Michigan Merinos. We are MAEAP-certified, and committed to creating our fine Merino wool using environmentally safe and climate-conscious practices.

News

Orphan Wells Pose a Contamination Risk to Aquifers

A recent USGS study published in Science of the Total Environment has mapped groundwater vulnerability to contamination from orphan wells across the U.S., highlighting the Pennsylvanian aquifer system as one […]

Underwater Program Brings Lake Michigan to Life for Students

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has launched an exciting new educational program called “Sleeping Bear from Below,” designed especially for 3rd–5th grade students. Using a 12-foot inflatable planetarium and immersive […]

Toolkit

In Your Home

The decisions we make in our homes can affect our water resources.  Learn tips to minimize your impact on Michigan’s waterways by making small changes in the appliances you use, how you store and dispose of chemicals, how you do your laundry, and more!

In Your Yard

Yard care is a huge responsibility, especially when you consider how your choices impact local waterways.  By selecting greener options for landscaping, maintenance of your septic system, application of lawn chemicals, and other yardwork, you can better protect your water resources.

In Your Community

Enjoying Michigan’s wide variety of recreational opportunities in the outdoors brings added responsibilities to protect our natural resources.  Learn how to minimize plastic pollution in our waterways, prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and other tips to keep our shared outdoor spaces healthy and clean!

Resources

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Lesson Plans

Check out these free lesson plans on water conservation and other science topics organized by grade level.

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Videos

Browse environmental videos on a variety of topics like agriculture, the Great Lakes, the water cycle, wildlife, and more!

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Reading Material

Here you’ll find free books, magazines, and online library collections to read up on your favorite conservation topics.

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We’re all connected by water.