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Virginia Trout Stream Sensitivity Study (VTSSS)
Click the map below to see the location of 2010 survey sites (links to a PDF version of the map).
Click here to download a PDF presentation describing the 2010 VTSSS in detail (file size 2.42 MB).
The Virginia Trout Stream Sensitivity Study (VTSSS), led by the Department of Environmental Sciences at UVA, is one of the most useful and fun things we do in TU. The purpose of the study is to track pH and other water chemistry in our native brook trout streams. Changes in stream water chemistry, including reduced pH levels, have occurred due to acid deposition from rain and snow. Some of Virginia's mountain streams now have acidity levels that harm brook trout and other aquatic life. Although some improvement has been observed due to reduced air pollution, many streams remain impaired.
TU is now organizing volunteers to collect samples in late April and early May of 2010. The volunteers will collect water samples at the exact spot where samples were collected in earlier surveys. The 445 sites to be sampled have GPS readings, a full set of maps, photographs, and directions. Numbered metal tags are attached to trees at the sites so that collectors will be sure of correct locations.
The volunteer sample collectors will work with TU chapter coordinators, who will assign sites and manage the collection effort. The samples will be collected during the sample collection window, placed on ice, and delivered to the VTSSS project lab at UVA, where VTSSS Coordinator, Rick Webb, and his team will conduct the analysis and report the results.
This is the third statewide VTSSS survey; the first was in 1987 and the second was in 2000. The plan is conduct surveys every 10 years. The VTSSS program has also monitored water quality in a subset of the survey streams every three months since 1987. The data have been used by environmental agencies in air pollution control programs and in reports to Congress.
It is pretty exciting to be part of one of the longest running acid rain studies in the nation. If you wish to volunteer, contact the TU chapter coordinator whose name appears on the following list. Each chapter coordinator will be responsible for a block of streams. As in previous surveys, the sample collectors will include TU members, members of other conservation groups, and agency staff.
Sample collection information is posted on the VTSSS website, listing all of the sites and sample collectors, as well as other details about the survey. The address is http://swas.evsc.virginia.edu/VTSSS-2010/Survey.html.
Thanks again for your interest in VTSSS and in the preservation of our native brook trout streams.
Statewide Coordinator,
Marcia Woolman, mwoolman@crosslink.net
Regional Coordinators:
TU is now organizing volunteers to collect samples in late April and early May of 2010. The volunteers will collect water samples at the exact spot where samples were collected in earlier surveys. The 445 sites to be sampled have GPS readings, a full set of maps, photographs, and directions. Numbered metal tags are attached to trees at the sites so that collectors will be sure of correct locations.
The volunteer sample collectors will work with TU chapter coordinators, who will assign sites and manage the collection effort. The samples will be collected during the sample collection window, placed on ice, and delivered to the VTSSS project lab at UVA, where VTSSS Coordinator, Rick Webb, and his team will conduct the analysis and report the results.
This is the third statewide VTSSS survey; the first was in 1987 and the second was in 2000. The plan is conduct surveys every 10 years. The VTSSS program has also monitored water quality in a subset of the survey streams every three months since 1987. The data have been used by environmental agencies in air pollution control programs and in reports to Congress.
It is pretty exciting to be part of one of the longest running acid rain studies in the nation. If you wish to volunteer, contact the TU chapter coordinator whose name appears on the following list. Each chapter coordinator will be responsible for a block of streams. As in previous surveys, the sample collectors will include TU members, members of other conservation groups, and agency staff.
Sample collection information is posted on the VTSSS website, listing all of the sites and sample collectors, as well as other details about the survey. The address is http://swas.evsc.virginia.edu/VTSSS-2010/Survey.html.
Thanks again for your interest in VTSSS and in the preservation of our native brook trout streams.
Statewide Coordinator,
Marcia Woolman, mwoolman@crosslink.net
Regional Coordinators:
- James "Chubby" Damron, Eastern region, damron1961@comcast.net
- Kevin Daniels, Northern region, 2educ8ors@gmail.com
- Graham Simmerman, Central-western region, Graham.Simmerman@deq.virginia.gov
- Steve Ferris, South-western region, flyfish@citlink.net
| Southeast Virginia | Bill Wills | WWILLS2@COX.NET | |
| East River Mountain | Curtiss Christian |
curtisscc@verizon.net | |
| Little Stony | Mark Leonard | mark@unitedcontrol.com | |
| Massanutten | Kemper Eagle | kaquila@comast.net | |
| Mountain Empire | Justin Laughlin | jhl3@hotmail.com | 276-780-0805 |
| New River Valley | Ryan McManamay | rmcmanam@rt.edu | |
| N. Shenandoah Valley | Mike Swauger | swauger@embrqmail.com | |
| Northern Virginia | Rachel King | rkingb@gmu.edu | |
| Northern Virginia | Doug Schultz | dsraven1@msn.com | |
| Rapidan chapter | Kevin Daniels | 2educ8ors@gmail.com | |
| Roanoke Valley | Jack Ward | jacdot1@verizon.net | |
| Shenandoah Valley | Tom Benzing | benzintr@cisat.jmu.edu | |
| Skyline | Max Guggenheimer | guggenheimer@lynchburg.edu | |
| Smith River | David Jones | davidj8@comcast.net | |
| Thomas Jefferson | Mark Mitchell | mtnmanmcm@gmail.com | |
| Virginia Capital | David Worrell | dworrelljr@comcast.net | |
| Winchester | Stan Ikonen (temp) | texfinn@hughes.net |
Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited, bpiercejr@gmail.com
© 2010 All rights reserved. Virginia Council TU
© 2010 All rights reserved. Virginia Council TU