Become a Citizen Scientist
Volunteer on Snapshot Water Monitoring Day
Do you want to make a difference for our lakes, learn something new, and have a blast doing it?
Every year, dozens of other citizen scientists come together on Snapshot Day!
Working in teams, volunteers collect and analyze water samples at 100 sites throughout Kosciusko, Noble, and Whitley Counties — all in one afternoon. The data we gather provides a valuable “snapshot” of water health across our watershed, which helps drive action for clean water.
Our 2025 event has passed. Thanks to all who volunteered!
Stay tuned for next year’s Snapshot Day!
What to Expect
- The event typically takes place over several hours on one afternoon. Estimated volunteer time commitment: 2 to 2.5 hours.
- A few days before the event, you will receive an email with contact information for your monitoring partner(s), as well as additional details to help you prepare for the day. On Snapshot Day, you’ll arrive at your assigned staging location, where you’ll check in, meet your partner(s), and receive your sampling supplies, instructions, and directions to your monitoring sites. After you’ve visited each site, you’ll bring your samples back to your staging location, where you’ll learn how to test samples for pH, nitrogen, and other key data.
- If you’d like to monitor sites close to home or to lakes you know, you can choose your preferred staging location on the registration form. 2025 staging locations include Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw (directions here), Merry Lea Farmstead in Albion (directions here), and North Webster Community Center (directions here).
- Monitoring sites range from wetlands to large streams to small ditches on county roads. Sites have been assessed for their safety and difficulty to access, and we have a wide variety appropriate for every ability. If you have a preference about site difficulty, please note that in your registration form.
- Sign up with a friend, or work with an assigned sampling partner.
- Young volunteers are welcome! However, volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult volunteer, preferably a parent or guardian. Not all sites are appropriate for young volunteers.
- All volunteers must be registered to participate.
Questions? Contact caitlin@watershedfoundation.org or call (574) 834-3242.