VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

To help collect samples. “Estuary Team” will start at Madame Brett Park at 8.30am and finish at Sarah Taylor Park in Fishkill around 10am. “Upper Team” will start at Tymor Park at 8.30am in Union Vale and finish at Sarah Taylor Park in Fishkill around 10am. Volunteers will be trained in safe water sample collection techniques.

Also need a “runner” to transport the samples to Bard College for processing. Gas stipend provided. Leave Sarah Taylor Park around 10am, back around 12pm.

Get in touch if you want to join: fishkillwatershed@gmail.com

Our monthly Community Creek Water Testing in made possible by partnership with Community Sciences Lab at Bard College, Department of  Environmental Studies at Vassar College, Riverkeeper and Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries!

Seven sites along the creek are getting tested for:

● Fecal Indicator Bacteria Analysis: Detection of Enterococcus and E. coli to assess microbial contamination in water sources.

● Fluorometry: Measuring fluorescence in water samples to detect organic compounds and algae presence.

● Inductively Coupled Plasma Analysis(ICP ): Detection and quantification of metals and trace elements in water samples.

● Ion Chromatography (IC): Preparation and filtration of water samples for accurate chemical testing followed by precise analysis of dissolved ions in water samples, including nitrates, sulfates, and chlorides.

● Turbidity Measurement: Assessing water clarity and sediment levels using advanced turbidity meters.

Sampling sites. Google map of all sites here.

1. Madam Brett Park, Beacon map

2. Upstream of Groveville Dam, The Gorge or Rocky Glen, Beacon map

3. Jean Van Pelt Park, Old Glenham map

4. Sarah Taylor Park, Town of Fishkill map

Our sampling locations in upper part of Fishkill Creek:

5. Tymor Park, Union Vale, map

6. "Trout spot" on Phillips Rd, Stormville map

7. Hopewell Beach, Hopewell Junction, map

Help us raise money to pay for the testing! We are about $1000 short of our target for 2025.

Please consider donating to help pay for the tests. We pay $75-125 per site per month. To test 7 sites for 6 months (May through October). Any amount counts! Suggested donations:

$500 - Big Fish, sponsor one site, 6 months of testing

$250 - Creek Eel, support one site, 3 months of testing

$100 - Trout Friend, help share the load

$0-99 - Sunfish, every drop counts

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