ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 

Preliminary Assessment and Desk Analysis 

Site Visit and Identify Sampling Points

Conduct a windshield survey to identify areas of point and non-point source pollution

Walk stream, where possible

Identify areas accessible for sampling

Collect latitude and longitude

Photograph site 

Ecological Health Assessment

Purpose: collect baseline physical, chemical, and biological data

 Task 1 -Water Sampling

pH   conductivity   Total Phosphorus   Iron   Nitrates   Stream Flow   Temperature   Fecal Coliforms  

Total Alkalinity   Total Acidity 

Task 2 - Visual Habitat Assessment 

Task 3 - Benthic Macroinvertbrate Sampling 

Point Source Impact Assessment 

Purpose: identify potential problem areas associated with point source pollution discharges and to identify the nature and extent of the impacts

3 Task component

Point Source Impact Assessment

Task 1 - Conduct discharge permit survey (completed during the watershed inventory)

Mine Discharges    

Storm sewer Discharges

Industrial Discharges

Task 2 - Collect at Two locations

Upstream of discharge

Downstream of discharge

Task 3 - Data Collection

Water sampling (see component 1 for parameters)

Visual Assessment

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling

Non Point Source Impact Assessment

Purpose: establish the nature and extent of the impact of runoff from one or more non point source pollution sources on a the streams ecological and aquatic life uses

Task 1 - conduct non point source discharge survey (completed during the Watershed Inventory)

Acid mine drainage/surface mining operations

Agricultural runoff

Roadway Runoff

Task 2 - Collect data at two locations

Upstream of the discharge

Downstream of the discharge

Task 3 - Data Collection

Water Sampling (Component 1 for parameters)

Visual Assessment

Bentic macroinvertabrate sampling

 Macroinvertebrate Sampling Methods 

Collect a composite sample

Taken from individual sampling spots in the riffles and runs representing different velocities.

Begin at the downstream end of the reach and proceed upstream

Using a 1 m kick net, 2 or 3 kicks are sampled at various velocities in the riffle or series of riffles

A kick is a stationary sampling accomplished by positioning the net and disturbing one square meter upstream of the net. Using the toe or heel of the boot, dislodge the upper layer of cobble or gravel and scrape the underlying bed. Larger substrate particles should be picked up and rubbed by hand to remove attached organisms.

After every kick, wash the collected material by running clean stream water through the net 2 to 3 times. Remove large debris after rinsing and inspecting it for organisms; place any organisms found into the sample container.

Transfer the sample from the net to sample container(s) and preserve in enough 95 percent ethanol to cover the sample. Forceps may be needed to remove organisms from the dip net. Place a label indicating the sample identification code or lot number, date, stream name, sampling location, and collector name into the sample container.

Modify the above methods to meet samplers ability and level of detail needed 

Macroinvertebrate Sampling Materials 

standard kick-net, 500 F opening mesh, 1.0 meter width

sieve bucket, with 500 F opening mesh

 95% ethanol

 sample containers, sample container labels

 forceps

 pencils, clipboard

 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Field Data Sheet*

 first aid kit

 waders (chest-high or hip boots)

 rubber gloves (arm-length) 

Visual Assessment Methods

Develop a theoretical reference reach to base scoring on:

Use Strahler Stream Order (GIS analysis)

River Continuum concept

Pictures provided in the Rapid Bioassessment  Protocols

Use the methods described in the NRCS Stream Visual Assessment Protocol/Class Presentation

     Ranking

     1-6        Poor quality

     6.1-7.4   Fair

     7.5-8.9  Good

     9+         Excellent

Visual Assessment Equipment

Reference reach description

Data forms

Boots

Tape Measure

GPS

Water Quality Methods

Flow - use cross section methods from class demonstration

Chemical Analysis

Collect grab samples and follow methods outlined in field kits

Use calibrated meter as instructed by directions

Water Sampling Equipment

Chemical Analysis Field Kits

pH, Temperature, and conductivity meter

Flow Meter

Data Form

Waders Survey Tape

(R. Taylor)