KRWP's Testing Program

Local resident's concerns over the state of water quality in the Kings River and its tributaries, expressed at public meetings in 2001 and 2002, lead to the beginnings of a voluntary water testing program in December, 2003. This program, the largest voluntary effort of its kind in Arkansas, is an important part of KRWP's scientific and educational mission and the most comprehensive volunteer program in the state of Arkansas.

The goal of this program is to collect data based on solid scientific methods which will establish baseline measures of water quality in the watershed. This ongoing study will serve as a reference point to monitor future changes in local streams.


Member dues and donations provide funding for this program. Tyson Foods, a major employer and integral part of the agricultural industry in the watershed, generously donated $1,850 in November, 2006 to support KRWP's water quality monitoring program. Tyson renewed their support in 2008.

A grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Stream Team program provided funding for a water monitoring test kit. This program has continued with monthly collection of chemical and physical measurements of several streams in the watershed. Trained volunteers follow strict protocols described in the Quality Assurance Project Plan, adopted in 2005 in conjunction with the Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC) at the University of Arkansas, the Upper White River Basin Foundation, and the EPA.

Water monitoring quality control measures are prescribed by a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) of 2005, in partnership with the Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC)at the University of Arkansas, under the direction of Dr. Marc Nelson. View QAPP. (207 Kb)





Quality measures were further strengthened with the addition of a YSI multi-probe field meter. This device tests 5 different parameters for water quality. KRWP's results compare closely to that of the AWRC's Lab.