Spring 2023 Network Meeting -

Monday, March 13th, 2023

10:00 – 12:00

via Zoom

40 people attended our spring network meeting. We discussed the Network’s evolvement to date, reviewed 2022 results from a few select stations, and received a guest presentation from Dave Clough.

View a recording of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/Awn_aViK1cQ

The outgoing project coordinator, Thea Rodgers, introduced the network to our incoming project coordinator Ally Badger!

The Network shared several successes for the 7 pilot stations taking part in the program in 2022:

4/7 stations improved to “Grade C” data status
1/7 stations on track to meet “Grade C” in 2023
2/7 community stations retiring and opening up room for additional groups to join the data support network.

We held multiple training events and in-person field visits throughout 2022, and we collaborated on a set of joint station audits and upgrades with the Province of BC in July 2022.

We processed historical data for 7 stations and uploaded that information to the provincial database. We hosted two other Network meetings, and expanded the reach of the network to invite another 15+ groups from up and down the island.

Some questions that came up during the meeting:

How to know when to monitor a peak?

Safety considerations are the first priority. If your stream is small enough to wade in safely during a high flow event, you can check a nearby stream gauge at: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/map/index_e.html?type=real_time to see whether the flow is cresting or peaking.

Smaller streams with several impervious surfaces in the watershed will behave differently than larger basins, but it can give you an idea about the relation between your stream and a larger river with real-time data.

The stage may be actively changing while you take your measurement. This condition is not ideal, but may be necessary to be able to capture a peak flow event. Make sure to note the stage at the start and end of the measurement for this reason.

What is involved in data cleaning?

For groups that are receiving data support, raw files are submitted to BCCF for review using Google Drive. We require levelogger and barologger downloads, site photos, field notes, staff gauge readings, discharge measurements, and any extra notes or field data sheets in use.

Please also see the Fall 2022 meeting recording for an overview of a presentation about data processing.

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to attend this meeting, and thanks especially to the groups and presenters who also took the time to speak.

Please forward your interest in data support, Network questions, equipment requests, training sessions or ideas for how this network can best help you and your group in 2023 to Ally: ABadger@bccf.com

Links to follow: