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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

All day
 
 
6am
 
 
7am
 
 
8am
 
 
9am
 
Chesapeake Water Watch: Satellites & Samples

Chesapeake Water Watch: Satellites & Samples

Join us for a special day of water quality data collection!

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 9:00am - 3:00pm
Event Location
There are 5 collection hubs (listed in the event details)
Advance Registration Required
No

Event Details

Attention outdoor enthusiasts and volunteer scientists! We need your help to get as as many water quality observations from around the Chesapeake Bay as possible on Tuesday, August 12th.

There will be two high-resolution satellites, Landsat-9 and Sentinel-2a, gracing the skies above the Chesapeake Bay. We can use your water samples and observations to improve the water quality monitoring algorithms for not one but two satellites. 

Here's how you can participate:

  1. Collect a water and/or HydroColor sample from the Bay or from any tidal river that flows into the Bay
  2. Fill out a quick datasheet
  3. Drop off your water sample and datasheet at a nearby collection hub

Your small act can make a big impact in monitoring our coastal ecosystems. Don't miss out on the fun!

Time

The drop-off window varies by collection hub, so be sure to check where you would like to drop off your sample. 

Samples must be dropped off at the collection hubs by the end time indicated to ensure we have enough time to transport and process the samples.

What You'll Need

An empty plastic water bottle

A smartphone/device to record GPS coordinates

CWW data sheet (or piece of paper to record data)

A rubber band (or something similar) to attach datasheet to sample bottle

Collection Hubs

*Check Collection Hub Details Before Dropping Off Your Sample *

Please note: During collection events, most "self-testing" sites become drop-off locations.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Day-of contact: Ray Terracina (TerracinaR@si.edu).

647 Contees Wharf Road,
Edgewater, MD 21037

Drop-off window: TBD

Press red button above cooler to notify of drop-off.

ShoreRivers' Easton Office

Day-of contact: Ray Terracina (TerracinaR@si.edu).

114 S Washington St. Easton, MD 21601

Drop-off window: TBD

Drop off sample in the cooler at the front entrance.

Marshy Point Nature Center

Day-of contact: Ray Terracina (TerracinaR@si.edu)

7130 Marshy Point Rd,
Middle River, MD 21220

Drop-off window: TBD

Enter the classroom on the left, walk to the back corner with cabinets to find the CWW machines and protocol binder. If you need to fill out a datasheet, you can find them in the binder. Rubberband your datasheet to the binder and place sample in the cabinet. 

Anne Arundel Community College

Contact: Tammy Domanski (tldomanski@aacc.edu)

101 College Parkway,
Arnold, MD 21012

(443) 994-9236

Drop-off window: TBD

Scan QR code to notify drop-off.

The Ryan Resilience Lab

Day-of contact: Ray Terracina (TerracinaR@si.edu)

4610 Colley Ave.  

Norfolk, VA, 23508

Drop-off window: TBD

* Cooler will be near the front door. Scan QR code to notify drop-off.

 

How To

Water Sampling Protocol
Click on the image to view the PDF version

CWW Virtual Training: Collecting a Water Sample

For drop-off locations that are not at SERC, you may stop the video at 1:44.

Get GPS Coordinates on Google Maps and Apple Maps

This is very important! Accurate GPS points are required for successful data analysis. No GPS location = We can’t use the data!

Google Maps app icon

Google Maps

Android

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Touch and hold an area of the map that isn’t labeled to drop a red pin.
  3. In the search box, you can find the coordinates.

iPhone or iPad

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Touch and hold an area of the map that isn’t labeled to drop a red pin.
  3. At the bottom, tap Dropped pin to find the coordinates.
Apple Maps app icon

Apple Maps

Get GPS Coordinates in Maps on iPhone and iPad

Open Maps on your iPhone or iPad and then follow these steps to get your current location’s GPS coordinates.

  1. Tap the current location button on the top right.
  2. When the blue circle for your spot appears on the map, tap it.
  3. Swipe up from the bottom to view full details for your location and you’ll see the Latitude and Longitude.
get-gps-coordinates-in-maps-on-iphone-and-ipad.png
Credit: AppleToolBox

Collection Tips

  • Your safety is our #1 priority. If weather does not permit for collection, that’s okay! We will have more events and ways to get involved in the future.
  • Be sure to write clearly on your data sheet! We need to be able to match up the water sample to the data on your datasheet. Without both, we won’t be able to use your sample!
  • Try to take a water sample as far from the shore as possible. If it’s too close to shore, wave action may contaminate the sample and not give us an accurate representation of the overall body of water.
  • Transport your water sample in a cooler or thick bag. Some of the measurements we get from water samples can be affected by heat and light. 

9:00am - 3:00pm
 
10am
 
Bay Shore Explorers

Bay Shore Explorers

These programs are free and open to kids ages 5-7!

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am
Event Location
Reed Education Center - Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Advance Registration Required
Yes

Event Details

A collage of 5 photos consisting of a butterfly, an osprey, a small fish, a river otter, and a diamondback terrapin

Through story time and activities, kids will learn about animals of the Chesapeake Bay with our SERC Educators and Splash the River Otter Puppet! Limited to 10 kids and they must be accompanied by an adult.

June 17th - Butterflies

July 1st - River Otters

July 15th - Bay Fish

July 29th - Bay Birds

August 12th - Turtles

Free!

June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, and August 12, 2025, 10:00am - 11:00am

SERC Reed Education Center

Learn more about SERC Education

Directions to SERC

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