---
title: Water Monitoring — Start Here
description: This is the most comprehensive subcategory in the Knowledge Base. It covers all three monitoring disciplines — biological, chemical, and physical — along with the chemistry foundations needed to interpret AMD water quality data. Whether you are a volunteer monitor,…
url: "https://aml-connect.org/aml-knowledge-base/water-monitoring-overview/"
updated: "2026-03-24"
category: Watershed Tools and Methods / Water Monitoring
---

# Water Monitoring — Start Here

This is the most comprehensive subcategory in the Knowledge Base. It covers all three monitoring disciplines — biological, chemical, and physical — along with the chemistry foundations needed to interpret AMD water quality data. Whether you are a volunteer monitor, conservation district staff, or technical practitioner, start here.

## **Monitoring Disciplines**

| **Article** | **What you'll learn** |
| --- | --- |
| **Water Quality & Water Pollution** | Foundational concepts for understanding water quality in AMD-affected streams |
| **Biological Monitoring Overview** | Using macroinvertebrates and fish to assess stream health affected by AMD |
| **AMD Chemistry Intro** | Introduction to the chemistry of acid mine drainage — essential context for all chemical monitoring |
| **Chemical Parameter Guides** | Individual articles on alkalinity, acidity, pH, iron, aluminum, manganese, sulfates, DO, and more |
| **Physical Monitoring Overview** | Flow measurement, weirs, temperature, and visual observations in AMD streams |

## **Chemistry Foundations**

New to AMD chemistry? Read these in order before diving into individual parameter guides:

1. AMD Chemistry Intro — overview of AMD chemistry concepts
2. Acids, Bases and pH — how pH works in acidic drainage
3. Pyrite Reactions — the chemical reaction at the source of AMD
4. Buffering — why some streams resist acidification and others don't
5. Ferrous/Ferric Iron — iron chemistry in AMD treatment and monitoring
6. Neutralizing Acid — how treatment systems raise pH
7. Removing Metals — how treatment systems remove iron, aluminum, and manganese

## **Related Resources & Data**

- [SRBC Mine Drainage Portal](https://www.srbc.gov/portals/water-quality-projects/) — searchable chemical data from mine drainage sources (Resource Library)
- [Data Hub](https://aml-connect.org/media/) — real-time monitoring data and GIS tools for your watershed

## **Questions? Ask in the Forums**

Post monitoring questions in the Monitoring and Methods forum. For equipment or protocol questions, try Technical Help.

| **Source:**AML-Connect / EPCAMR  |  **Last Reviewed:**March 2026  |  **Forum:**/community/forums/monitoring-and-methods/ |
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