Watauga Water Watchers Appalachian State University professors Dr. Carol Babyak (chemistry department), Dr. Bill Anderson (geology) and Dr. Chris Thaxton (physics and astronomy) placed water testing probes into Kraut Creek near the Jimmy Smith Memorial Park in Boone last Thursday. The probes will monitor water quality by measuring volume, temperature, pH levels, pollutants and other aspects of the stream and will be sampled on a regular basis throughout the semester and into the summer. The ongoing project is funded by ASU in conjunction with the Kraut Creek Restoration Project. Data from the probe is available to the public through the ASU Geology Department. The probe site is the second of three probe points on Kraut Creek where samples will be taken. Information from the probes can be downloaded directly to mobile computer equipment for analysis by science professors and students. Photo by Jeff Eason