Water Quality Monitoring

What is James River Watch?

James River Watch website

James River Watch is a river conditions map that communicates bacteria levels and other river conditions to the public. During the summer, weekly swimming, and paddling conditions are made available at www.jamesriverwatch.org, so before you head down to the banks of the James and take the plunge, remember that it pays to know before you go!

Why Monitor Bacteria?

While the James River is a great place to cool off, it can carry extra pollutants during periods of high water and after heavy summer downpours. Some segments of the river are impaired due to excessive harmful bacteria—which can make an afternoon on the river less enjoyable. James River Watch was designed to report bacteria levels and communicate them to the public, so you can have a better time on the water!

The State of the James is a report card summarizing ongoing efforts to bring the James River back to full health. This comprehensive assessment of the health of the river is published every two years. View the report to see how the river’s health has changed.

View the report here

Frequently Asked Questions:

What day do you sample?
Volunteers collect water and take measurements on Thursdays between 9 am and 2 pm.  Depending on the site, there may be a short amount of time on Friday required to read your sample results.
Do I have to sample every week during the summer?  I have a vacation planned, can I still sample?
Before the season starts we try to get the availability for all of our volunteers and create a schedule for the whole summer.  Typically, volunteers will be assigned 3-4 weeks when they have indicated they are available, though that number may change based off of your availability and the availability of other volunteers. 

Want to learn more about James River Watch?

Volunteers help us track the health of the James by collecting water samples every Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. No monitoring or science background is required. We will assign volunteers to sampling teams, and work with each volunteer to help establish a sampling schedule that fits individual schedules and availability.

Water Quality Monitoring Training Sign-Up

James River Association is hosting two virtual trainings this spring to introduce volunteers to the James River Watch project and teach you how to be a water quality tester.  If you have general questions about volunteering for the James River Watch project in 2024, you can email Jamie Brunkow at jbrunkow@thejamesriver.org. 

James River Watch – 2024 Volunteer Training
May 1, 5:30pm-6:30pm

Register here

Attend this training if you are interested in testing at any of these locations: 

  • Richmond City Stations (Huguenot Flatwater, Rocketts Landing, 14th Street Landing, Tredegar, Reedy Creek, 42nd Street Access Point)

  • City Point, Hopewell

  • Grapevine Bridge – Chickahominy River, Henrico

  • Osborne Landing, Henrico County

  • James City County Stations (College Creek Beach, College Landing Park, Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Jamestown Beach, Powhatan Creek)

James River Watch – 2024 Volunteer Training
May 2, 5:30pm-6:30pm

Register here

Attend this training if you are interested in testing at any of these locations: 

  • Robious Landing, Chesterfield County

  • Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing, Goochland County

  • Public Boat Ramp at Scottsville

  • Public Boat Ramp at Howardsville

  • Riveredge Park, Madison Heights/Lynchburg

  • Ben Salem Wayside park, Lexington (Maury River)

  • Public Boat Ramp at Buchanan

  • Howardsville Boat Ramp, Albermarle County

  • Deep Bottom Park, Henrico County

  • Main Street Bridge, Farmville (Appomattox River)

Sampling Locations:

 

  • Hampton River, Hampton
  • Riverside Park, Newport News
  • Denbigh Park, Warwick River, Newport News
  • Deep Creek Marina, Newport News
  • Jamestown Beach, James City County
  • Powhatan Creek Park, James City County
  • College Creek Beach, Williamsburg
  • College Landing Park, Williamsburg
  • Chickahominy Riverfront Park (Chickahominy River)
  • City Point, Hopewell
  • Harvell Dam, Petersburg
  • Osborne Landing, Henrico County
  • Grapevine Bridge – Chickahominy River, Sandston
  • Pony Pasture, Richmond
  • Huguenot Flatwater, Richmond
  • Robious Landing, Chesterfield County
  • Rockett’s Landing, Richmond
  • 14th Street Access Point, Richmond
  • Rope Swing beach at Tredegar, Richmond
  • Reedy Creek, Richmond
  • 42nd Street JRPS Access, Richmond
  • Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing, Goochland County
  • Public boat ramp, Scottsville
  • Riveredge Park, Madison Heights
  • Ben Salem Wayside Park, Lexington (Maury River)
  • DGIF Public landing, Buchanan
  • Riverview Park, Charlottesville (Rivanna River)
  • Darden Towe Park, Charlottesville (Rivanna RIver)
  • Main Street Bridge, Farmville (Appomattox River)
water quality monitors

Interested in volunteering?

Use your time on the river to give back to its health.

If you routinely spend time fishing, paddling, or boating the James or one of its tributaries, we have other volunteer opportunities that you may be interested in! 

Help the James - on the water