Student Watershed Watch

For more than 35 years, the Student Watershed Watch has involved thousands of students in annual water quality testing and analysis in area waterways. Each year, the project tasks students with sampling, studying, and reporting on water quality issues, giving them hands-on scientific experience and insight into the importance of protecting our natural resources.

The work involves field days in the fall, when students collect water samples and use test kits to measure parameters such as dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nutrients, pH value, and bacteria levels. They look for what types of macro-invertebrates are living in the area and what they can show about the quality of the habitat for wildlife.

Students gather with other schools to present and discuss their findings and participate in fun activities during the Student Watershed Watch Summit at the Toledo Zoo.

Student Watershed Watch included approximately 1,000 students from more than 20 classrooms across the region in 2024. In 2025, we have nearly 1,200 students from 25 classes!

THANK YOU to the many partners, teachers, students, and volunteers for helping TMACOG offer this long-running, popular program.

For more information about this popular and important program, contact Tiara Davis

Lake Erie Volunteer Science Network (LEVSN)

Since 2020, Student Watershed Watch coordinators have worked with partners throughout the Lake Erie Basin to coordinate the collection of volunteer water quality data. Use the interactive map below that shows sampling sites and data for LEVSN partners. Zoom in on our area to see the data we've collected over the years!

Student Watershed Watch T-Shirts through the years!

Have fun while you learn with these awesome online activities!