The "River Report" provides a status of the Alcovy Watershed Protection Project, TEAM ALCOVY. This is the second in a series to continue until project completion in November, 2000. For more detailed information please contact Joe Tichy, Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center, at (706) 369-5657 or Terry Cole, Brown and Caldwell, at (770) 673-3697.

WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION As expected, preliminary water quality data has revealed encouraging information about the health of the river, as well as some potential areas of concern. Sampling is being conducted by the Brown and Caldwell engineering team in the main stem of the Alcovy and its tributaries, and will continue through May of 2000. Crews are sampling streams during baseflow conditions (between rain events), and during storm events (this can be any time, day or night!).

The Brown and Caldwell team and volunteers from the community are also out in the watershed reading staff gauges. The public is asked not to disturb the gauges, which resemble white meter sticks poking up in the stream, because measurements from these gauges help determine how deep the streams are at different times of the year. If you are interested in volunteering to read a staff gauge or to alert the Brown and Caldwell staff of rain events, please contact Jennifer Miller at (770) 673-3683.

MODELING Computer mapping (called Geographical Information Systems, or GIS) and other data are being prepared for use in BASINS, the water quality computer model selected for the project. This computer program will provide critical information about factors impacting current water quality in the Alcovy, and how future land use will effect water quality. By using the computer, predictions can be made about potential solutions before any dirt is ever turned or policies revised.

WATERSHED PROTECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Meetings are being held with planners and managers in the participating jurisdictions to discuss existing programs, policies, and laws relating to watershed protection. Meetings are being held with planners and managers in the participating jurisdictions to discuss existing programs, policies, and laws relating to watershed protection as well as each jurisdiction's interest in particular future implementation strategies. Information on some of these strategies-- conservation subdivisions and impervious surface limits, for example-- has been provided to the requesting jurisdictiions.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT More than 40 people attended the first public meeting held on January 20th at the Monroe Municipal Auditorium. Following an Open House format where citizens talked one-on-one with project team members at information stations, a group Q&A session allowed time for additional questions. Presentations are also being made at various community group meetings across the watershed. This 20-minute overview is available to any group wishing to learn more about the project. To schedule a presentation, contact Terry Cole at 770-673-3697. Citizens representing various interests in the watershed have been surveyed to identify key concerns, provide project guidance, and reflect public attitudes. These "stakeholders" will continue to be contacted periodically to request input.

Watershed - All of the land area that drains to a particular water source. The Alcovy watershed is all of the land area that drains water into the Alcovy River.

Policy Committee - Elected and appointed officials in the 15 jurisdictions participating in the TEAM ALCOVY project.