2026 Nanticoke Creekwatchers: Maryland

Join the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance as a Nanticoke Creekwatcher in the nineteenth year of our award-winning community science program! We're currently looking for volunteer Creekwatchers to adopt pre-determined sites in the Nanticoke River watershed. All volunteers must attend our training on Saturday, March 14. (Details will be sent to all volunteers once registration and participation is confirmed.) All of our sites are foot-accessible. We currently have sites available near:

• Bivalve, Hebron, and Mardela Springs, MD, and
• Bridgeville and Laurel, DE.

During 2026, Creekwatchers will visit their adopted sites every other Sunday or Monday from March 22/23 to November 1/2. Creekwatchers will use provided equipment to take a suite of measurements directly in the water. In addition, Creekwatchers will grab water samples that will be analyzed by our partner labs. Lastly, Creekwatchers will make observations about their sites. Generally, most Creekwatchers take about 20-30 minutes at each site to complete monitoring tasks, along with travel time.

All Creekwatchers must be available to monitor sites at least 14 out of 17 sampling periods during the season. Creekwatchers must also have reliable transportation and be able to deliver samples and datasheets to one of our drop-off sites. Minors are welcome to participate with adult supervision and can earn service learning hours by partcipating.

Nanticoke Watershed Alliance provides all equipment needed, along with training and on-going support. Data are reported to the Chesapeake Data Explorer, which in turn is accessible to state and federal agencies, residents and visitors, and partners who need high-quality water quality data. The States of DE and MD use Creekwatchers data for Clean Water Act Reports. Lastly, NWA uses data to create an annual Nanticoke River Report Card.

If you have questions about the program, please contact BethWasden@NanticokeRiver.org. Training day specifics (time, location, agenda) will be provided once your registration has been confirmed.