SYRCL Water Quality Data Metadata

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) monitors water quality at 42 sites throughout the Yuba River watershed. This monitoring program began in 2000 with funding from the State Water Resources Control Board and is recognized as one of the most successful citizen-based monitoring programs in the nation. Funding in early years allowed for testing of bacteria, metal and other toxins. During recent years, sites have been established at more tributaries but with limited or no lab testing of samples due to lack of funds. Basic water quality testing involves measuring dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, conductivity and temperature at each site monthly. In addition, three special assessment projects (algae, benthic macroinvertebrates and temperature loggers) are conducted annually. Some sites in the South and Middle Yuba Rivers have excessively high water temperature, low dissolved oxygen or low pH. Bacteria levels have been high at one or more sites in the South Yuba. Toxic levels of metals have been detected in tributaries with intensive mining history. SYRCL publishes data annually as a "State of the Yuba" report, and maintains routine reporting to the SWRCB. Trained citizen volunteers supply thousands of hours of assistance to the program.