Fifty-five percent of U.S. rivers are unsuitable for aquatic life, largely under threat from runoff contaminated by fertilizers (EPA 2013). Twenty-one percent of the United States’ river and stream length are in good biological condition, down from 27 percent in 2004, according to the survey, carried out in 2008 and 2009 at almost 2,000 sites. Twenty-three percent are in fair condition. Of the twenty-one percent that are in good condition, the Yellow Dog River is considered excellent water quality. The most important thing in an ecosystem is the purity of its lifeblood, the water. Our organization monitors rivers, wetlands, springs, and lakes. We contribute to several statewide and national programs, such as: the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, the MiCorps Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program and the Yellow Dog RIVERKEEPER®. Our staff, volunteers, and consultants are trained to comply with program standards and follow procedures for quality assurance and quality control. If you are interested in learning more about water pollution and water quality monitoring we encourage you to visit the USGS Water Science School.