Stream Tracker
Organized by Colorado State University
Stream Tracker is a community-powered stream monitoring project to improve the mapping and monitoring of smaller, intermittent streams through crowdsourced observations of streamflow presence and absence.
Streams that do not flow all the time are called intermittent streams. In wet regions, they are the smallest headwater streams, but in dry regions, even large streams can be intermittent.
How to track
Find small streams where they intersect roads or trails. Create new observation on anecdata.com. Then, record location and site name and observe flow condition: Flow, No Flow, Standing Water, or Channel Covered.
Go to https://www.streamtracker.org/ for more information.
Why Stream Tracker matters
Every major river is fed by smaller streams, some of which only flow after large rains or snowmelt. While these streams look dry and lifeless much of the time, they often support diverse aquatic life when they do flow. By improving our understanding of these streams, we can help improve streamflow forecasts to predict water supply and flood risk. Better maps of small streams can also help with land use planning, habitat assessment, and wetland delineation. Monitoring streams, large and small, provides a more holistic understanding of the watershed and you are the reason this is possible!
Questions guiding Stream Tracker:
Where are streams continuously flowing (perennial) and where do they dry (intermittent discontinuous flow)?
What causes streams to be intermittent?
How does streamflow intermittence change over time?
Can a better understanding of streamflow intermittence improve stream mapping and monitoring?
