Amanda Richardson's blog

Venturing into the World of Ecosystem Services

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on April 26, 2012 - 3:00pm
Humankind benefits from resources and processes supplied by natural ecosystems

Earlier this month, Jim Pittman, Director of Sustainability at Prescott College, led the Watershed Improvement Council in a discussion about ecosystem services in the Upper Granite Creek Watershed.

The Creek Care Guide is (almost) here!

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on December 19, 2011 - 6:00am
Creek Care Guide cover

After more than six months of work and many more months of thought and planning, Creek Care: Your Stewardship Guide to the Granite Creek Watershed is complete! Many have dreamt of such a guide for years, so we're pleased that its development came about through the collaborative Watershed Improvement Planning project funded by ADEQ.

The new face of E. coli monitoring

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on September 30, 2011 - 3:45pm
Colilert quanti-trays are the basis of the E.coli analysis

 When our volunteer water quality monitoring program resumes this winter, there will be a new addition: Colilert equipment from IDEXX so that we can process our E. coli samples in-house. This is an exciting advancement for our water quality monitoring program. The ability to run the E.

When do bacteria in our surface waters present a public health risk?

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on June 28, 2011 - 10:47am
Single celled organisms, like bacteria, appear like creatures from another plant

I have to admit that, as I write this, I do not have an answer to the question that I just posed. I must also admit that this question has plagued me for some time and without training in public health issues, I feel ill-equipped to draw conclusions. Thus, I am writing about it here in an attempt to unpack this complicated issue.

A Tale of Green Lakes

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on April 20, 2011 - 9:00am
A mat of green algae floats below the surface of Watson Lake

A lake choked with aquatic plants and algae is no place for boating, fishing, or scenic viewing. As we approach summer, this will undoubtedly be the case in Watson and Willow Lakes, touted gems of the Prescott area. Eyesores in this condition, the lakes have drawn the attention and scrutiny of the public and elected officials.

Who pooped in Granite Creek?

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on January 18, 2011 - 11:44am
A dog using a pooper scooper in the manner of a human.

They say that in order to solve a problem, you must first admit that the problem exists. So, here it is: in Prescott, our local creeks and lakes have water quality problems. Some deny it, reasoning that talking about it might scare the tourists away. I say that is poppycock!

Paying the Price for Cleaner Water

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on December 17, 2010 - 10:53am
Sewer utility hole in Granite Creek.

Last week, Prescott's City Council voted to increase water and sewer rates for residents. While no one is cheering the effect that higher utility bills will have on their pocketbooks, we can now expect to see the upgrades that Prescott's sewer infrastructure so desperately needs.

Field Survey Results: Sneak Preview!

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on November 16, 2010 - 4:59pm
Woman conducts field survey on a section of Granite Creek, North Fork.

It seems like I have spent most of the summer and fall swimming in data. It is a relief to get to a point when the hard work starts to pays off and the data starts to speak...or maybe that means that I've been looking at data for too long!

2010 Monsoon Rundown

Submitted by Amanda Richardson on October 25, 2010 - 8:17am
Monsoon clouds and sun beams over Thumb Butte.

Arizona's spotty monsoon season was even spottier this year in Prescott. 4.95" of precipitation fell on Prescott this summer, far below the 8.54" average, making this the 16th driest year on record (out of 112 years). 

Despite the dismal showing here, the 2010 monsoon delivered slightly above average rainfall to northern Arizona. 

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