The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program's (APNEP) Citizens' Monitoring Network (CMN) is a network of private citizens who monitor ambient, surface water quality in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary and its tributaries. This program began as an initiative by the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation, to protect, preserve, and promote the quality of the Tar-Pamlico River and its watershed.  In 1991, the CMN was expanded under the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program to include all waters located within the Albemarle-Pamlico watershed basin.

The CMN focuses upon three areas of activity: 1) baseline monitoring, 2) targeted monitoring and surveys, and 3) water quality education.  Program participants receive support in many forms: water quality education and training, equipment and supplies, data management and analysis, and network opportunities.

Participants in the CMN primarily monitor "vital signs" of the estuary.  Specifically, volunteers monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, air and water temperatures, and turbidity to gauge the general health or quality of water in the estuary. Using basic, but accurate water quality test kits, citizen volunteers analyze water samples, observe qualitative factors such as weather conditions and other visual indicators, and record their results. Occasionally, program volunteers gather water samples for specific pollutants such as bacteria and nutrients.  All data collected are forwarded to the program office where the coordinator compiles the information and enters the data into report form for citizen and government agency use. Often, these monitoring efforts serve as useful supplements to existing governmental activities.

What is Water Quality Monitoring and Why is it Needed?

Water quality monitoring is the repetitive measurement or observation of a waterbody over time. The CMN measures water quality repetitively to detect changes and trends in water conditions that occur due to natural events or pollution. Often, one or two years of data will not show trends in water quality or sources of pollution. Therefore, monitoring is a long-term effort. Carefully obtained, objective monitoring is valuable to developing information about the baseline conditions of the . Trained analysts use this data to identify trends and changes in the systems' water quality. By not relying on subjective information, monitoring can provide more objective, quantified measures of the past.

Citizens want to know what is happening in their estuary and their involvement in managing this resource is important.  Water quality monitoring enables citizens to observe water conditions firsthand, and to be informed about the interactions of water measures and changes that occur due to natural events and pollution. Knowledge that volunteers gain through water quality monitoring helps them become informed citizens, and effectively act as advocates for a clean and healthy environment.

Study Area

The Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System covers 30,000 square miles of watershed.  It is the second largest estuarine system in the USA; the Chesapeake Bay is the largest.  The Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System is composed of seven sounds: the Albemarle, Currituck, Croatan, Pamlico, Bogue, Core, and Roanoke.  There are six major river basins, as well as beaches, marshes, and bottomland forests.

The six basins can be seen in the image below.