Rapid Bioassessment for Volunteers SALMON RIVER WATERSHED

Towns in Salmon River Watershed Bolton Colchester Columbia East Haddam East Hampton Glastonbury Haddam Hebron Lebanon Marlborough

Previous Monitoring Efforts Key: Red = new site, included in 2008 bioassessment Green = ongoing DEP/other site, not included in 2008 bioassessment

Macroinvertebrate & Water Quality Macroinvertebrate are assessed based on their pollution tolerance The Higher the number of species in the Most Wanted generally relates to Water Quality ~~~~~~~~~ # of Types of Most Water Quality 5 or MoreExceptional 3-4Excellent 1-3Very Good 0Need More Info

What do the Numbers Mean ♦ Most Wanted – The most sensitive to pollution, requiring a narrow range of environmental conditions. When abundant they are a sign of a non ‐ impaired stream; ♦ Moderately Wanted – Less sensitive to pollution and found in a variety of water quality conditions. When abundant, more information is needed about upstream conditions to infer water quality; ♦ Least Wanted – Least sensitive to pollution and tolerant of the widest range of conditions. When they make up the majority of a sample, they indicate some level of water quality impairment.

How Clean is the Salmon? Stream Site Most Moderate Least Total # Judd Brook 4 (36%) 5 (46%) 2 (18%) 11 Fawn Brook (downstream) 4 (33%) 7 (58%) 1 (8%) 12 Pine Brook 3 (43%) 3 (43%) 1 (14%) 7 Blackledge River 3 (33%) 4 (45%) 2 (22%) 9 Fawn Brook (upstream) 3 (30%) 6 (60%) 1 (10%) 10 Jeremy River 3 (27%) 7 (64%) 1 (9%) 11 Moodus River 2 (33%) 4 (67%) 0 6 Meadow Brook 0 4 (100%) 0 4 # of Types of Most Water Quality 5 or MoreExceptional 3-4Excellent 1-3Very Good 0Need More Info

Instructions Rapid Bioassessment in Wadeable Streams and Rivers by Volunteer Monitors Protocol Developed by: Michael Beauchene Connecticut DEEP Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse Planning and Standards Division Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator

At the end of the day…

Overview of Procedure Site selection (set up) Collect (scrub & kick) Process (observe & sort) Identify Voucher Submit Congratulations

Riffle dwelling benthic macroinvertebrates Riffle: Shallow fast running water, substrate mostly composed of cobbles, gravel, and sand

Step 1: Set up Establish the sampling station –Select an appropriate riffle area

Step 1: Set up Establish the sampling station –Select an appropriate riffle area –Define the upper and lower boundaries UPPER BOUNDARY LOWER BOUNDARY

Step 1: Set up Establish the sampling station –Select an appropriate riffle area –Define the upper and lower boundaries –Visualize where you can put the net into the water 6 times LOWER BOUNDARY UPPER BOUNDARY

Step 2: Collect 1.Plant net firmly on the bottom 2.In front of net, lift cobbles 3.In front of net, “wash” cobbles, and move them to the side 4.“Kick” the sand and gravel in front of the net with your boot

Step 2: Collect 1 2 Collect Samples from Locations 1 & 2 DUMP CONTENTS OF KICKS 1&2 INTO TRAY A

Step 2: Collect 3 4 Collect Samples from Locations 3& 4 DUMP CONTENTS OF KICKS 3&4 INTO TRAY B

Step 2: Collect 5 6 Collect Samples from Locations 5 & 6 DUMP CONTENTS OF KICKS 5&6 INTO TRAY C

Step 2: Collect The sample collection is complete when there are 3 trays each with the contents from 2 locations

Step 3: Process the sample Pick out large debris from each tray and sort insects by like types into the ice cube tray

Step 3: Process the sample Processing is complete when you have found as many of the different types as possible and put representatives of each type into the ice cube trays

Step 4= Identify

Field Identification Cards

Step 4: Identify

Start with the one ice cube well and weave your way through Kicks 1&2 Kicks 3&4Kicks 5&6

Fill in datasheet Step 4: Identify Kicks 1&2Kicks 3&4Kicks 5&6

Most wanted contrasted with least wanted is not the same as with good versus evil

Step 5: Voucher Play it safe- when in doubt add one in If it is not in the voucher it does not exist A voucher is at least 1 of each different type of organisms collected at the site. In addition a label written in pencil with date, stream, collectors, and location is placed inside. The voucher is the data. Each voucher is verified by CT DEEP.

Stream: Salmon River Date: 10/01/2015 Time: 10 AM Location: Upstream Route Whatever Town: Colchester Collector: Mickey, Donald and Goofy Label voucher with pencil and info:

Step 6: Submit the Data Pat Young, Watershed Coordinator Salmon River Watershed Partnership 1066 Saybrook Road Haddam, CT Or Arrange for Pick-Up or Drop-Off Samples were transported to DEEP for interpretation.

2011 RBV Locations

SAFETY FIRST

ACCESS TO THE STREAM PARKING/TRAFFIC STEEP BANKS POISION IVY/PRICKER BUSHES ANGRY LANDOWNERS

SAFETY FIRST WADING IN THE STREAM SLIPPERY ROCKS FAST FLOW DEEP SPOTS COLD WATER COLLECTING THE ORGANISMS HIDDEN SHARP DEBRIS GLASS METAL OTHER

Major Sources of Disappointment POOR COLLECTION POOR VOUCHER

Not Getting a good Voucher - Poor sorting due to too much material &/or muddied water -Rushed sorting due to nuisance insects, rain, snow, hunger, other commitments -Thinking someone else put one in already -Not using enough alcohol -Not labeling or using pen on your label

Poor sampling location

QUIZ TIME