Assigning Aquatic Life Use Designations Photo by Crestwood High School, Ohio

PHWH Aquatic Life Use Designations 1. Conduct an Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI) Assessment a. If results conclusive 1, then report b. If results not conclusive, go to 2. 2.Conduct a rapid bio-assessment a. Apply Headwater Macro-invertebrate Field Evaluation Index (HMFEI) scoring b. Apply Vertebrate criteria for fish and salamanders

PHWH Aquatic Life Use Designations (continued) 3.If HMFEI results are questioned and no cold-cool water vertebrates are present, identify macroinvertebrate voucher sample to lowest taxonomic order a. If 4 or more cool water taxa then assign Class III PHWH stream b. If fewer than 4 cool water taxa then assign Class II PHWH stream

Table Summary Salamanders

Table Summaries Fish

Table Summaries Macro- invertebrates

Bio-Assessment  Class I streams –very little to no life  Class II streams –warm water adapted life  Class III streams –cold water adapted life Photo by Ravenna High School, Ohio

Glossary  Conclusive - Serving to put an end to doubt, question, or uncertainty; decisive.  Specimens – A part or an individual taken as exemplifying a whole mass or number; a typical animal, plant, mineral, part, etc.  Tabulating - To arrange in tabular form; condense and list.  Vertebrate – An organism with a backbone or spinal column.  Voucher Samples – A sample taken from the stream back to a lab.