Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - After another successful Snapshot Water Monitoring Day, The Watershed Foundation (TWF) is thanking its volunteers and releasing results from this year’s event.
Held on Sept. 18, the annual event brought together 70 volunteers from across the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed to collect water quality data at sites throughout the region, according to a news release from TWF.
Snapshot Day provides an accurate, real-time snapshot of the health of local waterways, the release states. The data collected not only helps TWF identify sources of pollution but also guides long-term efforts to protect and improve water quality. These results directly translate into local watershed projects. For example, data from previous years has led to the installation of dog waste stations along Cherry Creek in Winona Lake — helping to reduce bacteria entering Winona Lake.
This year’s event faced challenges due to drought conditions, which left many waterways with low or no water flow. Volunteers assessed a total of 92 sites, although only 84 were sampled: seven locations were dry, and one was deemed too steep to access safely.
The Data in a Nutshell
Despite the conditions on Snapshot Day, local citizen scientists collected valuable data on the following parameters: E. coli, dissolved oxygen, nitrates and nitrites, orthophosphate, pH, temperature and transparency.
The warm, dry weather in September 2025 significantly influenced many of these results. With little rainfall to wash nutrients and bacteria into waterways, nitrate-nitrite, phosphorus and E. coli levels remained relatively low. However, stagnant water and reduced flow contributed to overall lower dissolved oxygen and reduced transparency in many locations.
E. coli Levels
E. coli bacteria are found in the feces of warm-blooded animals, including wildlife, livestock, waterfowl and humans. High levels of E. coli in water indicate fecal contamination and the possible presence of pathogens that are harmful to humans.
Snapshot 2025 E. coli Results
● 79 sites were tested for E. coli
●42 sites (53%) showed no E. coli present
● The average E. coli level was 231 cfu/100mL
● The highest level recorded was 7,250 cfu/100mL
The safety threshold set by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is 235 cfu/100mL for a single sample. While over half of the sampled sites showed no E. coli, several locations exceeded the state safety standard, highlighting potential risks and areas needing further investigation.
Depending on the location, contamination could have been caused by animal waste, sewage overflows or poorly functioning septic systems. Each year, TWF uses these results to determine pollution sources and potential solutions.
To see the full Snapshot dataset, visit watershedfoundation.org/events/snapshot-day/.
Citizen Science in Action
Snapshot Day is about more than just data.
“Snapshot Water Monitoring Day connects citizens with their watershed,” said Caitlin Yoder, watershed coordinator at TWF and event organizer. “Each site sampled is part of the complex system of streams and ditches that feed into our local lakes. By engaging the community in hands-on water quality monitoring, TWF fosters a sense of ownership and encourages better choices for healthier lakes.”
Tracy Gilliland, a Snapshot volunteer, said, “I look forward to the Snapshot Monitoring Day every year. This event is a prime example of getting people in our communities involved to learn how water quality can affect their lives.”
Since 1997, The Watershed Foundation has worked to protect and improve water quality in the lakes and streams of the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed. They promote community awareness and engagement, implement effective pollution solutions and build clean water partnerships across our watershed.
Learn more and join them in taking action at www.watershedfoundation.org
