A critical component of Channelkeeper's work in our community is to monitor local waterways, both to identify sources of pollution in our watersheds and to engage and train local citizens to be watershed stewards.

Channelkeeper has been implementing an exemplary volunteer-based water quality monitoring program - Stream Team - since 2001 in the Ventura River watershed (in partnership with the Ventura County chapter of the Surfrider Foundation), and since 2002 in the Goleta Slough watershed. To date, we have trained more than 700 volunteers, who come out with Channelkeeper staff monthly to test for several water quality parameters in the field and to collect samples that are later tested for indicator bacteria at Channelkeeper's in-house lab and for nutrients at UCSB. This data has been used by the State for various regulatory puposes.  For the last two years, we have supplemented these efforts by conducting pre-dawn dissolved oxygen monitoring to evaluate the impacts of algae in local waterways.

In 2008, Channelkeeper preserved a critical public health service when we took over weekly beach water quality sampling from Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services last after funding for the effort was cut. From November through mid-May, Channelkeeper conducted weekly bacteria sampling at 12 beaches (Rincon Point, Carpinteria State and City Beaches, Summerland, Hammond’s, Butterfly, Hope Ranch, Goleta, Sands at Coal Oil Point, Haskell's, El Capitan, and Refugio).

Channelkeeper has participated in the annual California Coast-wide Snapshot Day by organizing local volunteers to conduct water quality monitoring. We also conduct routine water quality monitoring at Fernald Point, monitor water quality around cruise ships when they call on Santa Barbara, and conduct occasional stormwater sampling. Channelkeeper regularly monitors stormwater discharges from local construction projects throughout the rainy season.

In addition, Channelkeeper staff and volunteers make regular trips into the field to look for sources of pollution or to investigate pollution complaints we receive from citizens.

Ventura Stream Team

Goleta Stream Team

Stormwater Sampling

Cruise Ships

Snapshot Day

Other Monitoring