Authors Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring
License CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0
Sampling Pole
Do-It-Yourself
Instructions
Why a sampling pole?
Sampling poles are helpful tools to help make stream monitoring more accessible.
For example, if stream conditions are unsafe (e.g. fast-moving water, slippery
slope, etc.) or if the weather conditions are not ideal (e.g. winter snow and cold),
a sampling pole can make the monitoring experience more comfortable. For
these reasons and more, sampling poles can allow for better and easier access
to sample your site! Follow these Do-It-Yourself (DIY) instructions to create your
own sample pole for your water quality monitoring needs.
Getting Started: Materials
Recommended Parts: Recommended Tools:
1. Ettore Rea-c-h 8' extension pole 7. Drill
2. Hanger with Carriage bolt and nut, 8. Drill bit, 17/64” in.
2” in. (nut is not needed) 9. Nut driver (or ratchet & socket), 11 mm
3. Carriage bolt, 1/4” x 2” in.
4. Wing nut, 1/4” in.
5. (2) Lock nuts, 1/4” in.
6. Corner brace, 2 1/2” in.
1 2 4 7-8
5
6 9
3
Preparing the Pole and Hanger
Pole Preparation A
1. Extend and tighten the end
of the extension pole (A) far
enough to hold onto it securely
when drilling.
2. Drill a hole that is perpendicular
through the plastic (B), halfway B
between the pin and threads.
Hanger Preparation
3. Remove the original nut and
bolt from the hanger.
4. Insert the 2” in. bolt into the
square opening of the hanger C D
(C).
5. Attach the wing nut to the bolt,
leaving enough space for the
lock nut. Be sure to have the
“wings” facing away from the
hanger (D).
E
6. Add the lock nut to the bolt (E).
7. Push the bolt into the square
opening of the hanger. Holding
the bolt will prevent it from spin-
ning. Tighten the lock nut with
the nut driver until it is flush with
the bolt.
8. Insert the small bolt F
from the original hanger
through the hole you
have drilled into the ex-
tension pole (F).
9. Place the assembled
hanger onto the bolt.
10. Place the corner
brace (G) onto the bolt,
facing towards the pole
11. Place the second G
lock nut onto the bolt H
(H). Finally, tighten the
lock nut with the nut
driver until it is flush with
the bolt.
Tips and Tricks
• The drill bit may want to glide at first, so hold onto the extension
pole tightly and drill the hole slowly until the bit is in before applying
more pressure. You can also use a punch to make an indentation
in the plastic or a jig to keep the pole in place.
• Use a sharp knife to remove any plastic bits that may accumulate
around the hole you drilled into the pole.
• Drilling near one of the ridges near the top of the pole makes for
an easier drill.
Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring
Dickinson College/ ALLARM
© 2020 Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring.
P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013
Sampling Pole Do-It-Yourself (DIY) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribu-
tion-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.
Tel: (717) 245-1565
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dickinson.edu/allarm
blogs.dickinson.edu/allarm
If you would like to use this content in other ways, please contact us. Instructions
generated by Science Advisor, Jinnie Monismith. allarm@dickinson.edu
All photos are property of ALLARM. @allarmwater