Over the Fourth of July weekend, Mad River Watch volunteers were back in the water – sampling and keeping tabs on the river that runs through the heart of The Valley. They weren’t the only ones enjoying their time in the river, as a holiday weekend, coupled with high temps and humidity, had many seeking out their favorite swim holes.
"As many have probably noticed, these warm days lead to increased water temps across the watershed. And while temperature is a vital set of data that volunteers collect, it is only one of many observations that they are making every other week when they venture out to the far reaches of the watershed. This week, we are shining a light on why we gather data on pH and conductivity, and what the recently passed “Big, Beautiful Bill” might mean for water quality in the Mad River,” said Friends of the Mad River’s Luke Foley
WHAT’S pH GOT TO DO WITH IT
The Mad River’s pH readings this week were hovering between 6.0 and 7.0 with an average of 6.5. This average is just about neutral – where water is healthiest for most fish and bugs that call it home. That’s good news. But keeping it that way takes more than just luck, Foley said.
Back in the 1980s and early 90s, the river wasn’t always so well-balanced. Pollution from coal plants in the Midwest was floating in on the wind, coming down as acid rain, and making river water more acidic. After the Clean Air Act was strengthened in 1990, emissions were cut dramatically – and the pH in the Mad River started climbing back to healthier levels.
"It’s a great example of how federal environmental policies – even ones made hundreds of miles away – can make a real difference here in the Valley,” Foley explained.
CONDUCTIVITY: A CLUE ABOUT WHAT’S DISSOLVED IN THE WATER
But pH isn’t the whole story. Volunteers this week also noticed higher-than-usual conductivity in a few spots. Foley said that conductivity basically comes down to how much stuff – like road salt, fertilizer, or even natural minerals – is dissolved in water.
So, what’s the connection to pH? When there are more dissolved materials in the water, it can throw off the pH balance. For example, runoff from heavy rains or melting snow can wash in salts or nutrients that make the water more alkaline or, depending on the source, more acidic. And that kind of change can stress out fish, insects, and other river life. In short: conductivity can be a warning sign that something’s changing upstream – even if the water still looks clear.
‘BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’
Just this week, Congress passed – and the president signed – the sweeping One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (also known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill”). It includes massive tax cuts, cuts to food assistance, defunding clean energy programs, and rolling back many environmental protections. One of these rollbacks is pushing to weaken the EPA’s air pollution rules, including those that limit power plant emissions.
"If that happens, we could see a return of more acid rain – and a slow slide back toward the kind of pH problems we were seeing 30 or 40 years ago. Combine that with more local runoff (which raises conductivity), and the river could find itself under pressure from two sides. The chemical balance that keeps our river healthy is delicate, and even small changes can ripple out fast,” Foley said.
LOCAL EYES AND EARS
"Why should we care about all this? Because when pH and conductivity levels shift too far, it doesn’t just affect fish and frogs. It can change how nutrients and metals move through the water, how safe the water is to swim in, and how resilient the river is after storms,” Foley pointed out.
That’s why Mad River Watch is so important, he said. Every other week throughout the summer, local volunteers are out there collecting samples, asking questions, and watching for changes. Their work helps make sure The Valley has real data to inform local planning and to advocate for clean water policies that matter.
"So, whether you’re dipping your toes in the river this weekend or just driving along Route 100, take a moment to appreciate our lovely little Mad River. And then stay informed and fight the policies that threaten it, because keeping our river healthy takes all of us – boots in the stream and voices in the room,” he added.
