Recommendations for Bank and Bluff Erosion Monitoring Using Citizen Science in Walkerton, Ontario

Abstract

The Saugeen River flows directly through downtown Walkerton, Ontario and it is cutting into its valley across from Riverbend Park. The river has encroached into the valley walls, resulting in consistent and considerable bank and bluff erosion over the last few decades. This study explores the ways in which the erosion across from Riverbend Park could be better understood and monitored using citizen science – a suite of tools and methods that rely on non-scientists and local citizens to produce scientific data. Because bank and bluff erosion in general is complex and variable in time and space, citizen science methods could be critical for provide observation and reports for qualitative assessment of erosion. In addition, image based methods such as 3D photogrammetry have been used to produce high-resolution quantitative information that could allow for better understanding of the specific process, rates, patterns, and locations of erosion in Walkerton. The success of citizen science is often dependent on the presence of motivated citizens, which may be more likely to exist in Walkerton due to its infamous history of a water-related E. coli outbreak. The Walkerton bluff is also the location of protected bird species, with further complicates efforts to abate erosion yet could be another focus of citizen science. The results of this study are a series of discussions and recommendations for possible monitoring and erosional assessment programs using citizen science methods.