The Best of All Things: Clean Water

John Crandall came to Highland Wonders to discuss water quality and its importance in our lives. John shared the story of water quality protection in the United States, including the role of the Clean Water Act – what it does and what it means for our water. Drawing on his extensive experience in monitoring water quality, John provided an overview of the characteristics of water that are most commonly analyzed, and why. He discussed important local issues such the relationship between water temperature and fish survival, and the impact of pesticide use in our waterways. The effects of beavers, as well as wetlands, on water quality were also discussed.

“Water quality is important to us all,” John said. “Whether for drinking, swimming or irrigation, we all benefit from having high quality water in our streams and groundwater. But clean water is not just important to humans, all plants and animals – especially aquatic related species – depend on it and suffer when the quality of water deteriorates.”

Listen to Josh Crandall talk about wetlands and water quality

About John Crandall

John Crandall is an ecologist who has been monitoring the effects of stream restoration on water quality for the past 10 years. He has worked on fisheries conservation across the Northwest, with a particular interest in monitoring fish and habitat response to restoration activities. This involves studying water quality with the end goal of restoring healthy fish populations. During eight years with The Nature Conservancy, John worked as a fisheries ecologist in the Klamath Basin in southern Oregon, the on-site preserve manger at the TNC McCloud River Preserve near Mount Shasta, and as a fisheries ecologist in north-central Washington. Currently, John coordinates monitoring activities through the Methow Restoration Council. He lives in the Methow Valley, growing dry beans, making salsa, and chasing after his eight-year old son.