It is important to collect GPS coordinates and characteristics on each of the CLP patches we discover.  This is how the ArcGIS map maintained by Zach Wilson and the Iron County Land and Water Conservation Department is generated.

Ideally, every time a patch is discovered, monitored, or pulled, we should collect another data point for that patch, so that we can determine whether the patch is growing, shrinking, or even gone, and to show that information on the combined map.

Locating Patches

This data also allows use to locate the previously known patches, on the water. Unlike the ArcGIS map, Google Maps shows your current location.  This is a link to the Google MyMap which shows known patches.  It was created by loading some of the same data as used for ArcGis. We can use it on a smartphone on the water to exactly track our location and to locate known CLP sites by GPS.

It can even be used on an old smartphone without a cell plan, with some pre-planning and setup. First, while you have a WIFI connection, do this:

• Click the link to bring up the MyMap in your browser.  Add the link to your Home page, for later.
• There is a rectangle in the top right corner. Click it to bring up the map in the Google Maps app.

To save an offline map to use when you are not connected to the internet,

• Click your profile icon, upper right, and log into your Google account if necessary.
• Select “Offline Maps”, then “SELECT YOUR OWN MAP”. This will let you download a map of the area for offline use. Name it Turtle River. Or, if you have already done this, just select your Turtle River map.
• Important: Do not close the Google Maps app. This would erase the cache with the waypoint data. You may open and use other apps, but leave the Google Maps app in the background.

Take the smartphone with you on the water, and use it to locate known CLP sites for retreatment.

If you use a smartphone with a cell plan you just need to do the first two steps.

Collecting Data with Kobo Collect

It’s important to track the state and progress of each CLP infestation patch. Iron County has been using the Android KoboCollect app to do this, and each volunteer team should now use KoboCollect to do the same. Several people have been trained in using this app. Zach Wilson, Cindy Moriarity, Duane Silkworth, or Steve Anderson can give you an overview and the setup information.

Kobo Collect runs only on Android, not Apple IPhones.  If you do not use Android, or if you don’t want to take your phone on the water, consider using an old Android with no cell plan.

Android Phone Requirements for Kobo Collect

• Android 5.0 or better
• A working GPS and WIFI capability.
• No cell phone plan or SIM card required.  Data will be uploaded automatically when WIFI is connected.
• A Google Account.  You can use your own account, or a shared Google account is available for this purpose:  TurtleRIverVolunteer2@gmail.com, password turtleriver
• Kobo Collect installed free from Google Play and configured.

Used Android phones are available on eBay for a reasonable price of $25 or so.  Some at this low price have “Bad ESN” or “Bad IMEI” numbers, which might mean that the original cell carrier has blacklisted the phone so that it cannot be used on a cell plan.  The phone might be lost or stolen and reported, or attached to an account with an unpaid cell phone balance.  This does not prevent the phone from being used over WIFI, as far as I am aware.  But, use your own discretion and conscience about whether you are willing to buy property that might be stolen.  There are ways to check the number, and to even unlock them in some cases.