For more than two decades, our team of staff, volunteers, scientists and researchers have been monitoring Nine Mile Run, providing critical data that tells the success story of the Nine Mile Run stream restoration. While we continue to monitor the health of Nine Mile Run, we’ve expanded monitoring upstream, measuring the impact of green stormwater infrastructure across the entire watershed.
Monitoring & Data Collection at our GSI Sites
Monitoring equipment at the Crescent School Rain Garden inlet.
GSI Monitoring Dashboard
Our Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) sites are equipped with sensors that monitor how each location is performing. Statistics like the number of rainy days and the gallons of runoff intercepted are collected, along with statistics that convert huge volumes of water to a more human scale. Can you image 26,000 bathtubs of water? That’s a lot of water intercepted in one month!
Head to the Dashboard to view the latest GSI Performance Summary Reports.
Nine Mile Run Stream Monitoring & Data Collection
UpstreamPgh staff collects samples from Nine Mile Run in Frick Park.
UpstreamPgh staff performs monthly stream monitoring along Nine Mile Run.
Monthly Stream Monitoring
UpstreamPgh has been monitoring water quality since 2000. We collect samples from Nine Mile Run stream and Fern Hollow Creek on a monthly basis.
Analyzing monthly data allows us to accurately assess the ecosystem health of Nine Mile Run while better understanding the impact of pollutants into Nine Mile Run and whether they are being reduced over time as a result of interventions and improvements in the upper watershed.
Learn more about our Monthly Stream Monitoring.
Data collected can be found in our State of the Nine Mile Run Stream Dashboard.
Volunteers complete a fish survey of Nine Mile Run near Duck Hollow in 2025.
Fish Surveys
UpstreamPgh began monitoring fish after the completion of the restoration in 2006. Each year, an electrofishing survey is led by Dr. Brady Porter and Dr. Beth Dakin of Duquesne University with students from local universities. By collecting data on the quantity and variety of fish species, researchers see changes in the watershed ecosystem over time.
Local students help conduct macroinvertebrate sampling.
Macroinvertebrate Sampling
Often referred to as macros, these creatures are visible invertebrates that live in the sediment of aquatic habitats, including aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, worms and other arthropods.
Certain macros are especially tolerant to pollution, while others are known markers of a healthy stream. By collecting data on these creatures, we can determine if the health of the stream is improving over time.
UpstreamPgh Data Hub
The UpstreamPgh Data Hub was created to publicly share data, reports, and web applications we have collected and developed over the years. Datasets include stream monitoring data and demographic data. Reports include published journal articles, monitoring reports and additional background information. Check out one of our Equity Studies and download the data to explore yourself!
Learn more about Monitoring & Data at UpstreamPgh
GSI Performance Monitoring Dashboard
Community Science
Nine Mile Run Hydrology Tool
Monthly Water Quality Monitoring
Macroinvertebrate Sampling
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Monitoring
Annual Fish Study
