Cache la Poudre River Water Quality Network Technician
Warner College of Natural Resources
Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Larimer
County
- Natural Resources
- Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
Primary Topic:
Natural Resources
Other Topics:
Health & Wellbeing
Internship Overview:
Our group currently manages a water quality project in the Cache la Poudre (CLP) Watershed called the Poudre Water Quality Network (PWQN). The PWQN is a collection of river monitoring sites strategically located throughout and directly upstream of the City of Fort Collins. This monitoring partnership with the City of Fort Collins was spurred by the 2018 fish kill throughout the city, whose source was never determined. With a network of sensors deployed, we can better track changes in water quality like those experienced in 2018 and understand how the river is influenced by its myriad urban and agricultural inputs. The PWQN currently exists as nine sites along the Cache la Poudre River from the canyon mouth to Windsor, as well as two tributaries to the Poudre River.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
In this project, we use a variety of water quality tools and techniques to characterize the water quality of the CLP Watershed. Primarily, we use in-situ water quality sensors to measure real-time and continuous water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and conductivity. We also take water samples which are run in a biogeochemistry lab to measure a suite of nutrients and more specific water constituents. The objective of this internship is to maintain existing water quality sensors as well as conducting water sampling at water quality sensor sites. The intern would be aiding in the maintenance of a high-quality dataset to inform management and restoration decisions in the CLP basin.
Sensors will be deployed throughout the field season (April- November) with most of the work being conducted during snowmelt (May-June) and monsoon season (July-August). During this time, the intern would oversee calibrating each of the sensors on a bimonthly basis, troubleshooting malfunctioning sensors as needed, and collecting water samples on a weekly basis. Our intern may also be asked to assist on the installation, repair, or deconstruction of sensor housings if the need arises. On a typical week, this would involve 15-20 hours of field work and 10 hours of lab or data management work.
Sensors will be deployed throughout the field season (April- November) with most of the work being conducted during snowmelt (May-June) and monsoon season (July-August). During this time, the intern would oversee calibrating each of the sensors on a bimonthly basis, troubleshooting malfunctioning sensors as needed, and collecting water samples on a weekly basis. Our intern may also be asked to assist on the installation, repair, or deconstruction of sensor housings if the need arises. On a typical week, this would involve 15-20 hours of field work and 10 hours of lab or data management work.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
Our intern will primarily work with researchers from the ROSS (Radical Open Science Syndicate) in the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Department at CSU. Our intern will also have the opportunity to collaborate with City of Fort Collins Utilities staff. Our intern will also work with US Forest Service researchers (USFS) while processing samples at the Rocky Mountain Research Station biogeochemistry lab. Our intern will interact with community members in Fort Collins while at public outreach events discussing water quality, river health and watershed changes.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
1. Technical Skills: Our intern will gain technical skills related to water quality monitoring with a particular focus on in situ sensor deployment, calibration, and maintenance. They will also gain experience with water sampling techniques and basic lab processing skills.
2. Research Experience: Our intern will be involved in applied research focused on understanding water quality dynamics, pollution event detection, and long-term monitoring data management.
3. Problem-Solving: Our intern will engage in sensor or site troubleshooting which will improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while in the field and will work with our stakeholders at the City to co-create solutions.
4. Collaboration: Our intern will work with multiple local stakeholder groups, fostering collaboration, teamwork, and networking opportunities with water quality professionals that can be valuable for future career development.
5. Communication and Outreach: Our intern will be encouraged to help staff with communication and outreach, including the development of communication materials, presentations, and community engagement. These activities will enhance the intern’s ability to communicate complex scientific information to a broader audience.
2. Research Experience: Our intern will be involved in applied research focused on understanding water quality dynamics, pollution event detection, and long-term monitoring data management.
3. Problem-Solving: Our intern will engage in sensor or site troubleshooting which will improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while in the field and will work with our stakeholders at the City to co-create solutions.
4. Collaboration: Our intern will work with multiple local stakeholder groups, fostering collaboration, teamwork, and networking opportunities with water quality professionals that can be valuable for future career development.
5. Communication and Outreach: Our intern will be encouraged to help staff with communication and outreach, including the development of communication materials, presentations, and community engagement. These activities will enhance the intern’s ability to communicate complex scientific information to a broader audience.
