For several years, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizen Stream Monitoring Program has engaged water-loving citizens statewide in tracking water quality in their favorite river or stream. Now the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has teamed up with the MPCA and the Vermillion River and North Cannon River watersheds to recruit and train citizen stream monitors for the Vermillion and North Cannon rivers. Volunteers participating in the program will be assigned a stream monitoring site, which they visit once a week to measure water transparency and report on water levels and appearance. Data collected will be used by the MPCA in assessing water quality in the state’s rivers and streams. If you enjoy getting close to your favorite stream — and making sure it stays healthy — volunteer for the Citizen Stream Monitoring Program.  For more information, contact Lindsey Albright at Dakota County SWCD, 651-480-7783.