Andrew Lipsky State Biologist USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Rhode island Watershed Stewardship Class: Introduction to Stream Visual Assessment Providence, RI September 26, 2006

Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP)

Stream Visual Assessment Protocal-SVAP One among Many All protocols, indices, and assessment tools used to characterize stream condition. Vary significantly in required scale, expertise, and data intensity. VT Agency of Natural Resources

Healthy Stream Ecosystems

Habitat Thresholds SpeciesMX. Weekly Avg. Temp for Juveniles Max Temp. for Survival of Short Exposure Juveniles Max Weekly Avg. Temp. for Spawning Bluegill 90 ◦ F 95 ◦ F 77 ◦ F Channel Catfish 90 ◦ 95 ◦ 81 ◦ Largemouth 90 ◦ 93 ◦ 70 ◦ Smallmouth 84 ◦ 63 ◦ Brook Trout 66 ◦ 75 ◦ 48 ◦

SVAP Qualitative and meant to be conducted with the input and assistance of the landowner Allows relatively fast assessment of meaningful stream and riparian characteristics Provides the basics for planning stream and riparian conservation practices

Benchmarks So, how do you figure out how a stream should “look”???  Reference sites – Benchmarks that serve as examples of relatively unimpacted systems that exhibit a complete set of structural and functional elements  You may have to contact/collaborate with other agencies who have reference site data in the basin of interest

Using SVAP Two part approach – Reach identification and assessment  Select a representative reach  If channel changes dramatically, add additional reaches  Determine active channel (bankfull) width  Assessment reach = 12 X bankfull width  Example: Bankfull Width = 32 feet Assess at least 384 feet

Scoring Maximum 15 stream elements to score Range of scores: 10 (best conditions) to 0 (worst conditions) Macroinvertebrates 15 to -3 Score only elements that are relevant to the reach you are assessing Intermediate scoring is allowed

SVAP Assessment Two page worksheet with 15 assessment elements  Not all elements are applicable everywhere in the US  Overall score = summation of all scored values divided by the number scored  EXAMPLE – 12 elements scored Sum = (Fair) SVAP Score = 82/12 = 6.8 (Fair)

Bankfull Channel Width Determines the length of the assessment reach Numerous field indicators to determine bankfull channel width; some stronger according to physiographic region ALWAYS try to measure bankfull channel width just upstream of a hydraulic control –Riffles, bedrock outcrops, waterfalls, etc.

Bankfull Channel Width

K. Gullett photo

Embryonic active floodplain developing in incised channel. Stage IV of channel evolution. a. Abandoned floodplain b. Active floodplain indicating bankfull stage Adapted from Vermont Stream Geomorphic Assessment VT Agency of Natural Resources

SVAP Scoring Elements

Channel Condition

Hydrologic Alteration

Riparian Zone

Right Bank No Buffer Emergent Vegetation boundary Left Bank Narrow Riparian Buffer Sept.18, 2004 Flood level in Town hay field

Bank Stability

K. Gullett photo U. of Wash. photo Bank Stability

Water Appearance

K. Gullett photo

Nutrient Enrichment

M. Zuroske photo D. Orth photo

Barriers to Fish Movement

Barriers to Fish Passage-A regional and local perspective Dams of the Eastern United States Barriers to Fish Passage in RI

Impacts of River and Stream Dams/Crossings –Habitat loss and degradation –Alteration of Ecological Processes –Population fragmentation & isolation –Reduced access to vital habitats –Disruption of processes that maintain regional populations

K. Gullett photo USFS photo Passage Barriers

The RI River & Stream Continuity Project Watershed Approach The RI River & Stream Continuity Project Road Crossings as Potential Barriers to Wildlife and Fish Movement

Alosids: Declining Populations Current Commercial Shad Harvest 5% of Historic Catch Data provided by RIDEM Fish & Wildlife

Instream Fish Cover

Aquatic Habitats – formed by the free movement of water and materials, during high flows

Habitat Structure Bass/sunfish Brook trout Minnows/sucker

Fish and Invertebrate Habitat

Instream Fish Cover U. of Wash. photo

Pools A stream with many pool types will support a wide variety of aquatic species. Rivers with low sinuosity (few bends) and monotonous pool characteristics do not have sufficient quantities and variety of habitat to support a diverse aquatic community. An even mix of all pool types is most desirable. In the absence of some pool types, it is better to have deep pools over shallow pools. All small-shallow pools or lack of pools entirely are the least desirable conditions.

Pools Refuge for fish during low flow, drought periods Resting and feeding area Refuge from predators

Stream Bed Terminology Riffles: the sections of the bed with the steepest slopes and shallowest depths at flows below bankfull. Riffles typically occur at the cross over locations and have a poorly defined thalweg. Runs: differ from riffles in that depth of flow is typically greater and slope of the bed is less than that of riffles. Runs will often have a well defined thalweg. Pools: are the deepest locations of the reach. Water surface slope of pools at below bankfull flows is near zero. Pools are often located at the outside of meander bends.

Stream BedTerminology Glides: are located immediately downstream of pools. The slope of the channel bed through a glide is negative while the slope of the water surface is positive. The head of the glide can be difficult to identify. Use the following characteristics to help you locate the head of the glide: –the location of increased flow velocity coming out of the pool, –the location at which the steeply sloped bed rising out of the pool decreases to a lesser gradient, –the location at which the thalweg coming out of the pool becomes less well defined and essentially fades completely. –the location which is approximately same elevation as the tail of the run

Invertebrate Habitat

Canopy Cover

AFS photo

Manure Presence Score only if livestock and/or human waste discharge is present

Manure Presence

Riffle Embeddedness Score only if riffles are present, a naturally occurring alluvial feature, or known to be buried.

Riffle Embeddedness K. Gullett photo

Macroinvertebrates Observed

Group I Mayfly- Ephemeroptera (collector)

Group I Stonefly-Plecoptera (Shredder)

Group II Crayfish- Crustacean

Group II Dragon Fly

Group III Midge Fly Larvae

Summary Assess stream reach 12 X bankfull width Score a maximum 15 elements; use those applicable to your site Assign a rating for each element— intermediate scoring is OK Calculate overall score Determine the narrative rating Describe potential causes of poor conditions and recommendations for improving them

Identify Reaches to be evaluated

Courtesy of Buckley and Nixon(2001) An Historical Assessment of Anadromous Fish in the Blackstone River In 1735 The RI General Assembly stated that any mill owner erecting a dam across a water where migratory fish normally pass had to provide a “good and sufficient Way through such Dam or Weir for the fish to pass and repass” that be opened during the spring runs…., “