Institute for Watershed Studies Internship

The program is intended to support research on freshwater lakes, streams, and wetlands throughout Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. Additionally, the program supports student research. All freshwater lake data collected by students is entered into a web database that is accessible to anyone in the community interested in learning about various water quality measurements of a specific watershed. Measurements include turbidity, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrogen & phosphorous content. Algal communities were also observed with each sample. Students working in the lab are encouraged to learn the difference between toxic algae and non-toxic algae. As a student employee for IWS during Summer 2021, I learned much about field sampling and lab analysis. Prior to this position, I did not have experience in water quality measurement or freshwater sampling fieldwork. Additionally, I was unfamiliar with many of the microorganisms I encountered in the freshwater samples. This position gave me substantial experience in areas that will be valuable to future jobs in the environmental field.