BRaVE Citizen Science
Volunteer-led monitoring of water quality, flow and wildlife across the Brent valley.
How the monitoring works
BRaVE provides a common protocol for volunteers to record water temperature, flow, visible pollution and macroinvertebrates. Records are checked by trained reviewers before they enter the catchment dataset.
- Monthly water chemistry sampling at fixed sites
- Quarterly macroinvertebrate surveys using standard kick sampling
- Flow and debris observations after heavy rainfall
Data quality
Every volunteer completes a calibration session before recording independently. Duplicate samples are taken at 10 per cent of sites to check agreement.
Sampling calendar
Baseline sampling
Sites are visited to record seasonal baseline conditions after winter flows.
Invertebrate survey
Kick sampling is carried out at riffle and pool habitats where access is safe.
Flow and debris review
Volunteers record flow levels and debris accumulation at known pinch points.
Why volunteers stay
The protocol is simple enough for beginners, but the data is taken seriously by the council. That is what keeps me coming back.
Water sampling team
Local monitoring sites
Sites are chosen to cover the main tributaries and the mainstem. Each has a fixed location, a site card in the register and a named coordinator.
Information on access and safety is provided with each site and reviewed each season.
Recent field images
Register your interest
Read about recent news from the project or see catchment projects that use BRaVE data.