In 2017, a Fellow at the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) noticed a huge pile of salt left by a salt truck sitting directly next to a storm drain. That salt was headed right for the Muddy Branch, a small stream that travels through Maryland and feeds into the Potomac River. He contacted the local government to try and address the problem and quickly discovered that the world of road salt is a complicated one, and that its effects on our waterways are not well known or well studied. Inspired by the success of the League’s Save our Streams community science program, IWLA staff launched Salt Watch to mobilize citizens and monitor chloride (salt) levels in local creeks and streams.

We aim to partner with more local groups, double the submissions we receive, and help volunteers advocate for smarter road salt use in their community. You can join us and become a salt watcher too!