This USDA-funded project included a partnership of twenty-five area schools. The project was an extensive outreach effort of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Students and teachers from participating sampled physical, chemical and biological components of rivers, creeks, and streams near their schools in order to ascertain the overall health of the St. Louis River and its watershed. Data were reduced in the field and lab and sent to the college for analysis and archival. These data were used to produce a snapshot of the health of the river over time.

Students, teachers, and interested community citizens participated in the annual River Watch Congress, held on the campus of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. This spring season event provided the students the opportunity to share data collected from their sample sites as well as to learn from area environmental educators and professionals. Approximately 800 students participated in this program each year. This project was completed in 2007 after a successful ten-year run. Many schools have institutionalized the curriculum related to the River Watch Program and continue to enter data on the program’s still existing website at www.slriverwatch.org.