Chesapeake Water Watch: Satellites & Samples
Two satellites are passing over the Bay on the same day!
Event Details
*Collection Hub Update: The two Middle Branch locations in Baltimore are no longer accepting samples due to storms passing through.*
Attention outdoor enthusiasts and volunteer scientists! We need your help to get as many water samples from the Chesapeake Bay as possible on May 29th.
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 to improve the water quality monitoring algorithms for not one but two satellites.
Here's how you can participate:
- Grab a water sample from the Bay
- Fill out a quick datasheet
- Drop off your sample at a nearby collection hub
Your small act can make a big impact in safeguarding 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 or device to record GPS coordinates
Event datasheet (or piece of paper to record data)
A rubber band or something similar to attach datasheet to sample bottle
Collection Hubs
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Day-of contact: Tara Sill (sillt@si.edu)
647 Contees Wharf Road,
Edgewater, MD 21037
Drop-off window: 8AM - 5PM
Press red button above cooler to notify of drop-off. Light turns off when message sent.
Anne Arundel Community College
Day-of contact: Tammy Domanski (tldomanski@aacc.edu)
101 College Parkway,
Arnold, MD 21012
Drop-off window: 9AM - 4PM
Scan QR code to notify drop-off.
Marshy Point Nature Center
Day-of contact: Tara Sill (SillT@si.edu)
7130 Marshy Point Rd,
Middle River, MD 21220
Drop-off window: 9AM - 4PM
Cooler will be in the education room inside the building.
Advocates for Herring Bay
Day-of contact: Kathy Gramp (kgramp@gmail.com)
404 Arundel Road,
Tracys Landing, MD, 20779
Drop-off window: 9AM - 4PM
Cooler will be on front porch. Knock or ring doorbell to notify of drop-off.
Middle Branch Park
Day-of contact: Laura Quigley (laura@ejji.org)
3301 Waterview Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Due to storms passing through, no longer accepting samples.
Middle Branch Trail Trailhead 9
Day-of contact: Laura Quigley (laura@ejji.org)
No address. Plug in "Middle Branch Trail Trailhead 9" into your GPS or mapping software.
Due to storms passing through, no longer accepting samples.
How To
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
Android
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app
.
- Touch and hold an area of the map that isn’t labeled to drop a red pin.
- In the search box, you can find the coordinates.
iPhone or iPad
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app
- Touch and hold an area of the map that isn’t labeled to drop a red pin.
- At the bottom, tap Dropped pin to find the coordinates.
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.
- Tap the current location button on the top right.
- When the blue circle for your spot appears on the map, tap it.
- Swipe up from the bottom to view full details for your location and you’ll see the Latitude and Longitude.
Credit: AppleToolBox
Not sure where to go?
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 datasheet! 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.