Routine Statewide Monitoring Program
The bureau is responsible for the routine monitoring of the waters of the state to allow for the determination of the overall quality of waters, trends in water quality, and identification of water quality problems and issues. This monitoring effort is coordinated through the Rotating Integrated Basin Studies (RIBS) Program. Specific component monitoring programs include Stream Biomonitoring, Lake Classification and Inventory, Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP)
A number of published reports and monitoring information are available.
Rotating Integrated Basin Studies
Contact: Margaret Novak, Chief, Statewide Waters Monitoring Section
RIBS monitoring is conducted in 2-4 of the state's 17 major drainage basins each year, resulting in data available statewide over a 5-year cycle. These data include water column, sediment, and organism tissue chemistry and biological assessment of water quality using macroinvertebrate community analysis and toxicity testing.
Stream Biomonitoring Unit
Contact: Robert Bode, Chief, Stream Biomonitoring Unit
The NYSDEC Stream Biomonitoring Program uses resident benthic macroinvertebrate communities as indicators of water quality in rivers and streams. This program was begun in 1972, and has been instrumental in identifying temporal trends in water quality statewide.
Lake Assessments (CSLAP, LCI)
Contact: Scott Kishbaugh, Program Manager
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are monitored in two programs. Lake Classification and Inventory (LCI) is conducted by DEC staff, and follows the 5-year rotating basin schedule of the RIBS program. The Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) is directed by DEC staff, but is run by volunteers from individual lake associations.
Groundwater Sampling Program
Contact: Dan Kendall, Program Manager
The groundwater sampling program conducts yearly comprehensive sampling and analysis of groundwater including field and physical parameters, bacteria, nutrients, inorganics, organics (including pesticides and VOCs), and radiochemicals. The program parallels the five year rotating RIBS program schedule by concentrating on approximately 1/5 of the state each year. Sampling is conducted by USGS using both public and private wells. Sampling results and data reports are available for each major basin through USGS online.
More about Routine Statewide Monitoring Program:
- Toxicity Testing Unit - Information about the Toxicity Testing Unit in the Division of Water at NYSDEC.
- Statewide Monitoring and Assessment Schedule - Drainage basin map indicating monitoring and assessment cycle in New York State.
- Statewide Lake Monitoring Programs - Information on Lake Monitoring and Assessment Activities in New York State.
- Rotating Integrated Basin Studies (RIBS) - An overview of New York's Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program
- Stream Biomonitoring - Evaluation of the health of New York's rivers and streams through the analysis of macroinvertebrate communities
