The monitoring stations include instruments that measure dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, pH, fluorescence for chlorophyll, and depth at both the surface and the bottom of the water. This project uses YSI model 6820 sondes with a YSI data acquisition system model 6210, with a solar powered battery and transmission capability. Each monitoring station includes two sets of sensors that the researchers can alternate in use.

Project researchers provide routine maintenance to each monitoring buoy every 2 to 3 weeks, including changing the sensoring equipment. This allows precise calibration of the equipment in the laboratory. During the maintenance visits, water samples are taken to test for fecal coliform levels, dissolved metals and total metals at the NBC's Field's Point laboratory.

A model 6820 sonde made by YSI Incorporated (www.ysi.com) is used to collect the water quality parameters at both the buoy and shore-based sites. Each site has one sonde located near the surface of the water and a second sonde mounted near the bottom. Each site uses a YSI 6200 data logger/computer to control the sondes and to store and transmit the data. The buoy at the Bullock Reach site transmits data to the NBC Fields Point facility via a radio telemetry system. The shore-based sites at Pomham Rocks and Phillipsdale transmit data to the NBC Fields Point facility over a conventional telephone line. Power for the buoy mounted instruments is provided by batteries that are recharged by solar panels. The shore-based instruments are powered by standard electrical connection with battery backup.