Winter Salt Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about winter salt use, has wrapped up. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and partners, we’ve gathered crucial data on how road salt impacts our local waterways.
From January 27-31, TTF Watershed Partnership joined organizations across the Delaware River watershed to collect stream samples and measure chloride and conductivity levels. This effort, led by the Stroud Water Research Center, helps us understand how winter road salt runoff affects water quality and aquatic life.
Ryan Neuman, TTF’s Upstream Conservation Leader, played a critical role in this effort. Below, Ryan shares his observations, findings, and vision for addressing this pressing issue:
📌 What stood out to you about this year’s Winter Salt Week sampling?
“This year’s sampling focused on areas where we’ve observed the highest levels of road salt pollution. We specifically zeroed in on two tributaries of the Tookany: Baeder Creek in Abington Township and Rock Creek in Cheltenham. By identifying additional monitoring points within these sub-watersheds, we were able to get a clearer picture of how salt enters our waterways.
Note: These figures represent some of the sites sampled at Rock Creek and Baeder Creek during the January 30th Salt Blitz. All of these sites tested at levels greater than 230 mg/L making them harmful to stream organisms over a long period of time. The dark line at 230 mg/L represents this as it is the level identified by the Izaac Walton League of America as the point where exposure over several days can be toxic to freshwater aquatic life.
The key takeaway is that suburban systems are complex. Salt enters our streams in large quantities from multiple sources during winter storm events. This work adds another layer of clarity to where these inputs are occurring, which is critical for tackling the problem.”
📌 What patterns have you observed in salt levels over the years?
“The salt levels in our streams sometimes reach extreme levels, in some cases approaching the salinity of seawater during winter months. Even outside of the winter season, we see the legacy effects of road salt use, with salt levels tens of times higher than what is considered natural.
In the summer, chloride levels in our streams often range between 100-200 mg/L (milligrams per liter), while natural levels should be closer to 15 mg/L. Every stream in our watershed shows signs of salt pollution, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and action.”
Note: These samples were taken during the same Salt Blitz during January 27-31 this year on a section of White Clay Creek in Chestertown’s White Clay Creek Preserve. The chloride levels at these locations are all either close to natural levels (below 50 mg/L) or only slightly elevated and possibly harmful to aquatic organisms, which is more than 50 mg/L. This site, although not in the TTF Watershed, shows how different chloride levels can be depending on the land use of the contributing drainage area.
Note: These samples were taken during the same Salt Blitz during January 27-31 this year on a section of White Clay Creek in Chestertown’s White Clay Creek Preserve. The chloride levels at these locations are all either close to natural levels (below 50 mg/L) or only slightly elevated and possibly harmful to aquatic organisms, which is more than 50 mg/L. This site, although not in the TTF Watershed, shows how different chloride levels can be depending on the land use of the contributing drainage area.
📌 How does salt pollution affect local waterways, and what can be done about it?
“Elevated salt levels pose a major threat to aquatic life. Our freshwater ecosystems are not designed to handle this influx of salt, which makes it difficult for aquatic species to survive and adapt. Compounding the issue is the fact that removing salt from freshwater is extremely difficult, and salt levels can accumulate as water moves downstream.
The best way to address salt pollution is by adopting smarter salt practices. This includes using less salt and cleaning up excess salt after a storm. Too often, unused salt sits on sidewalks and roads until rain carries it into streams. More advanced snow removal technologies could also reduce the need for deicers, helping us cut back on road salt use overall.”
📌 What are the next steps for stream monitoring in the TTF watershed?
“We’ve been expanding the amount of data we collect, particularly for road salts, to better understand salt levels year-round. In 2024, we piloted continuous monitoring using conductivity loggers along Baeder Creek. This provides a more holistic picture of salt spikes during winter storms as well as persistent salt levels throughout the year.
Conductivity, which correlates with salt levels, is an affordable and effective way to track these trends. If possible, we’d love to deploy additional loggers in other areas of the watershed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of salt pollution.”
Note: These figures demonstrate the conductivity at Baeder Creek, which correlates with Chloride levels. These levels are significantly higher than the levels we’d like to see in the creek, around 350 uS/cm.
📌 How can people get involved?
“We’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our efforts to improve water quality. If you’re interested in helping with monitoring or learning more, reach out to me at ryan@ttfwatershed.org. We’d love to have you involved!”
Meet the Volunteers Behind the Data
Our dedicated Streamkeepers and community scientists made this year’s Winter Salt Week sampling possible.
Dr. Ethan Simon, a retired scientist and longtime TTF volunteer, has been using hand-held conductivity meters for over a decade to track salt pollution in waterways. He shared some insights on why this work is so important:
“Application of salt in the winter helps keep roads and sidewalks safe. But once it’s in our streams, it can persist for years, affecting aquatic life and drinking water. Our monitoring helps raise awareness and identify areas with excessive salt, which is the first step in making real change.”
Dr. Simon also highlighted how private parking lots tend to have much higher salt use compared to municipal roads. He encourages individuals to take action:
“Twelve ounces of salt—about as much as would fill a coffee mug—is enough to treat a 20-foot-long driveway or about 10 squares of sidewalk. If you see excessive salt in a parking lot, talk to the store owner. Encouraging better practices can make a big difference.”
Geoffrey Selling has been a TTF Streamkeeper since 2016 and has monitored Rock Creek for years, rarely missing a month. His dedication to water quality monitoring has given him a unique perspective on how salt levels fluctuate and why long-term data collection matters.
“When I first started monitoring, we weren’t always testing for salt, but we knew something was going on. Over the years, our methods have evolved, and chloride testing has become an essential part of our work. Salt doesn’t just wash away—it lingers in our streams, impacting aquatic life in ways many people don’t realize.”
Geoffrey has been a strong advocate for improving public awareness of salt pollution. He recalled how the introduction of Winter Salt Watch (IWL) helped fill in critical data gaps and allowed volunteers to measure chloride levels more consistently.
“It’s been fascinating to see patterns emerge. Some areas have consistently high salt levels, while others show spikes right after a storm. This kind of data can help guide policy changes and encourage smarter salt use in the future.”
His passion for clean water and dedication to TTF’s mission continues to inspire volunteers and conservationists alike.
We are grateful for their dedication and expertise in tracking water quality and advocating for healthier streams!
What’s Next?
Want to see the results? Check out the salt data map here!
The data collected this year will help guide future conservation efforts and encourage better salt management practices.
Want to get involved? Join our stream monitoring events, become a Streamkeeper, and help protect local waterways—contact Ryan Neuman at ryan@ttfwatershed.org to learn more!
Previous related articles：
2022 Chloride Blitzes show extreme spikes in salt levels
TTF Streamkeeper Testifies at Philadelphia City Council about Road Salt
Edited by Ryan Neuman and Wendi Wu
Infographics by Natasha Ring and Sophia Brown
