Alpine Watershed Group

Due to the pandemic and wildfires, AWGs volunteer activities and in-person community outreach and environmental education continued to be curtailed in 2021. A total of 161 volunteers participated in 10 different restoration and monitoring activities during 2021, contributing approximately 609 volunteer hours. AWG collected 487 data points through our volunteer-based river monitoring program. River Monitor volunteers and staff continued to conduct water quality monitoring at eight sites in the Upper Carson River watershed, measuring stream temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and conductivity. We completed our fourth year of monitoring for Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) on effluent from South Tahoe Public Utility District. We continued the harmful algal bloom monitoring program initiated in 2019, collecting samples for four consecutive months at Red Lake. We also conducted post-project photo monitoring for the Hope Valley Restoration and Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Project, which was constructed in October 2020.AWGs community outreach and education program included distribution of a monthly newsletter, holding bimonthly group meetings, website maintenance, social media posts, and presence at regional conferences.