Module 10/11 Stream Surveys Stream Surveys – September 2004 Part 2 – Habitat Assessment

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s2 Objectives Students will be able to:  identify accepted sampling methods used in streams.  explain the influence of velocity and current on organism distribution in a stream.  categorize stream bed substrates.  Describe physical, chemical and biological parameters used to assess the quality of stream habitats.

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s3 Stream assessments  Water quality  Habitat  Hydrologic  Biological  Watershed

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s4 Habitat assessments

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s5 Habitat Assessments  Determine and isolate impacts of pollution sources  Interpret biological data  Screen for impairments

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s6 Habitat Scales - review

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s7 Where to sample  Reach Length  30 times mean stream width  Minimum of 100 meters in length  Avoid bridges, dams, culverts etc.  Localized effects on the stream  Both upstream and downstream of the structure.  Locate reach nearby to specifically address changes from structures

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s8 Transect Measurements  Necessity of measuring habitat variables in both pool and riffles and why  Slide to be completed by 3/31/04

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s9 Pool-Riffle-Run Sequences

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s10 Current velocity  Varies horizontally and vertically across the streambed  Current is the most important factor that determines where many organisms are found in streams and therefore govern differences in communities in various parts of a given stream.  Velocity of the current is determined by the steepness of the surface, roughness of the stream bed, and depth and width of the stream bed.

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s11 Substrate

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s12 Visual estimation of surface substrate  % of silt/clay, sand, gravel, cobble, boulder and bedrock  Fast, simple  Prone to error  Slide to be completed by 3/31/04

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s13 Substrate  Sieves  Especially for <2mm  Sample size = bucketful  ~ 3 samples  Slide to be completed by 3/31/04

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s14 Substrate - Pebble counts  100 individual pebbles randomly selected from stream bed  Measure intermediate axis  Plot results as a histogram (Wolman 1954)

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s15 Pebble Count results

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s16 Embeddedness  Measure of fine sediment deposition in the interstitial spaces between rocks  High embeddedness values indicate habitat degradation

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s17 Substrate  Embeddedness: General guidelines  0% = no fine sediments even at base of top layer of gravel/cobble  25% = rocks are half surrounded by sediment  50% = rocks are completely surrounded by sediment but their tops are clean  75% = rocks are completely surrounded by sediment and half covered  100% = rocks are completely covered by sediment

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s18 Wentworth Scale of particle sizes Silt/clay/mud fine Sandup to 0.2 cm Gravel (or pebbles)0.2 – 6.4 cm Cobbles6.4 cm – 25.6 cm Bouldersgreater than 25.6 cm Bedrock Bigger than a car

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s19 Woody debris  Extremely important for habitat  Difficult to quantify

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s20 EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP)  The RBPs include a set of cost-effective, yet scientifically valid, stream quality indicators that include:  Physical habitat assessment  Water Quality assessment  Biological surveys  Easily and quickly obtained  Compares data with standards from unaffected site

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s21 RBP - parameters  Stream characterization  Watershed features  Riparian vegetation  In-stream features  Large woody debris  Aquatic vegetation  Water quality  Sediment/substrate

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s22 RBP – stream characterization  Is stream flow perennial, intermittent? Are there any tidal influences?  Is the temperature regime considered warm water or coldwater?  Stream origin: glacial, montane, wetland, bog

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s23 RBP – watershed features  What is the predominant land use type within the watershed?  Are there any local nonpoint pollution sources?  Any signs of local watershed erosion ?

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s24 RBP – riparian vegetation  Width of the vegetation zone on either side of the stream

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s25 RBP – in-stream features  reach length  stream width  reach area  velocity  % canopy  high water mark  # riffles, runs, pools  channelization  dams

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s26 RBP – large woody debris and aquatic vegetation  Large woody debris  Aquatic vegetation  periphyton  macrophytes

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s27 RBP – water quality  Temperature, EC, DO, pH, and turbidity  Water odors  Water surface oils  Turbidity-visual assessment

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s28 RBP – sediment and substrate  Odors  Oils  Deposits  Inorganic substrate components  Organic substrate components

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s29 Visual-Based Habitat Assessment (VHA)  This protocol rates habitat parameters for each sampling reach on a scale from 0 to 20 (highest).  The rankings are then totaled and compared to a reference condition to provide a final habitat ranking.  Habitat evaluations are made on:  In-stream habitat  Channel morphology  Bank structural features  Riparian vegetation

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s30 VHA - Habitat for aquatic insects and other creatures  Look for the amount and variety of structures in the stream, such as:  rocks  fallen trees  undercut banks  logs and branches  The more diverse the “structure” the better. Poor Very good

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s31 1b. Habitat for Aquatic Insects and Other Creatures  Look for:  The amount and variety of structures in the stream, such as:  Rocks  Fallen trees  Undercut banks  Logs and branches  A lot of diverse “structure” is good Poor Very good Mary Kay Corazalla, U of MN

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s32 2a. Embeddedness  Look for:  How much silt, sand, or mud cover rocks and snags or is “embedded” among the rocks?  Lots of silt reduces insect habitat and fish shelter, spawning areas, and egg incubation areas Poor Very good William Taft, MI DNR Poor

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s33 2b. Pool Substrate Condition  Look for:  Type and condition of bottom of stream in pool area  Healthy stream has:  Firm sediment types, such as sand, gravel, rather than soft clay or silt  Aquatic plants  Lots of variety Poor Very good Mary Kay Corazalla, U of MN

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s34 3a. Velocity and Depth Regimes  Look for:  Lots of variety in depths and flow rates as you move downstream  Look for a combination of:  Slow-deep  Slow-shallow  Fast-deep  Fast-shallow  Provides more habitat for aquatic insects and fish Poor Mary Kay Corazalla, U of MN Very good William Taft, MI DNR Poor

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s35 3b. Pool Variability  Look for:  Mixture of types of pools  Large-shallow  Large-deep  Small-shallow  Small-deep  A variety of pool types means good habitat Poor Very good Peggy Morgan, FL DEP William Taft, MI DNR

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s36 4a. Sediment Deposition  Look for:  How much sediment has been deposited in the stream channel as:  Islands  Points, bars  Shoals  Pools filling in  Lots of sediment means lots of human impacts on stream Very good Poor Deposited sediment

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s37 4b. Sediment Deposition  How much sediment has been deposited in the stream channel as:  Islands  Points, bars  Shoals  Pools filling in  Lots of sediment means lots of human impacts on stream Poor Very good

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s38 5a. Channel Flow Status  Look for:  How full is the channel?  If too much of the streambed is exposed, habitat is limited and probably poor Very good Water is not reaching both banks; leaving much of channel exposed. Poor

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s39 5b. Channel Flow Status  How full is the channel?  If too much of the streambed is exposed, habitat is limited and probably poor Poor Very good Water is not reaching both banks; leaving much of channel exposed. James Stahl, IN DEM

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s40 6a. Channel Alteration  Look for:  Human-caused changes in the stream channel, such as:  Deepened  Straightened  Diversions  These alterations mean less habitat Very good Poor

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s41 6b. Channel Alteration  Human-caused changes in the stream channel, such as:  Deepened  Straightened  Diversions  These alterations mean less habitat Poor Very good John Maxted, DE DNREC

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s42 7a. Frequency of Riffles  Look for:  Frequency of riffles as you look up or downstream  Riffles are excellent habitat for aquatic insects and fish  Lots of riffles means good habitat Arrows showing frequency of riffles and bends Very good Poor

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s43 7b. Channel Sinuosity  Look for:  The number of twists and turns you see in the stream  A “curvy” stream  Has more habitat  Is more stable during storms, thus reducing erosion Sinuosity refers to the curviness of the stream Poor Very good

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s44 8a. Bank Stability  Look for:  Condition of banks  No vegetation  Crumbling banks  Overly steep banks  Exposed tree roots  Exposed soil  Presence of eroded stream banks means poor conditions for aquatic life Very good Poor Stable streambank Unstable streambank MD Save Our Streams

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s45 8b. Bank Stability  Look for:  Condition of banks  No vegetation  Crumbling banks  Overly steep banks  Exposed tree roots  Exposed soil  Presence of eroded stream banks means poor conditions for aquatic life Poor Very good Peggy Morgan, FL DEP

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s46 9a. Bank Vegetation  Look for:  Amount of vegetation on banks of stream  Lots of vegetation  Holds soils  Absorbs water, thus reducing bank erosion  Absorbs nutrients (through roots)  Provides shade for stream  Good to have >90% vegetative cover on banks and in riparian area Very good Poor

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s47 9b. Bank Vegetative Protection  Look for:  Amount of vegetation on banks of stream  Lots of vegetation  Holds soils  Absorbs water, thus reducing bank erosion  Absorbs nutrients (through roots)  Provides shade for stream  Good to have >90% vegetative cover on banks and in riparian area Poor Very good Peggy Morgan, FL DEP MD Save Our Streams

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s48 10a. Riparian Vegetative Zone Width  Look for:  Width of riparian zone (vegetated area adjacent to stream)  Wider riparian area helps  buffer pollutants  Control erosion  Provide habitat  Regulate nutrient inputs Poor Very good

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s49 10b. Riparian Vegetative Zone Width  Look for:  Width of riparian zone (vegetated area adjacent to stream)  Wider riparian area helps  buffer pollutants  Control erosion  Provide habitat  Regulate nutrient inputs Poor Very good MD Save Our Streams

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s50 2. Low Gradient Streams  Less steep, slower moving Low gradient streams are dominated by deep areas (pools) interspersed with shallower segments of river (glides). The stream bottom is typically made of up fine sediments and occasional coarser material (gravel or larger). Low Gradient Streams

Developed by: Richards, Reed, Ruzycki Updated: Sept 2004 U3-m10/11b-s51 Stream surveys - references  Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations Reports   National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data   Rapid bioassessment protocols for wadeable streams 