Twenty-four MVL sophomores converged at the Cottonwood Street May 5 to collect data about water temperature, total dissolved solids, potential of hydrogen, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, chloride and water clarity. A group of 31 Cathedral High School students took part in the same testing on May 12.

Observations of current weather, land use and habitat integrity were also collected.

Data was sent to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Surface Water Database to be analyzed to track past and current trends of water source health.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to conduct field experiments just like ecologists or environmental scientists would do. It gives students real life experience,” said Cathedral High School instructor Jenny Janssen.

Submitted photo Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Science teacher Jennifer Uher, left, and Friends of the Minnesota Valley River Watch program member Patti Braulick collect Minnesota River data with 24 MVL sophomore students on the Cottonwood Street bridge May 5.

River Watch Southern Region Coordinator Patti Braulick, a retired Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s science teacher, said she worked with teachers and students at MVL, New Ulm Area Catholic Schools, Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, Sleepy Eye High School, Waseca, Madelia, Mankato East, West and Loyola and St. Peter High School this year.

“I’m really encouraged by the teachers and students interested in river health,” said Braulick. “Students in the River Watch program have gone into environmental science programs in college and become environmental scientists because of it. The program really enforces what students learn in the classroom.”

“The River Watch program helps students understand the need for communities to take care of their water and become community water stewards,” said Friends of the Minnesota Valley board member Don Wendel of New Ulm.

Last school year, River Watch participants visited 28 water sites over 80 sampling days. A total of 1,200 students collected data.

Projects are administered by the MPCA.

Submitted photo New Ulm Cathedral High School Science instructor Jenny Janssen, left, and several sophomore students sample Minnesota River water on the Cottonwood Street bridge May 12.

For more information, visit https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/friends-minnesota-valley-river-watch.