Topography Maps

What are the purposes of topography maps? Topographical maps show: Rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs Roads Wetlands Cities, and towns Elevations in different areas Major landmarks Houses and buildings Railroads

How can buildings/farming alter the watershed? Farms with high elevation can let chemicals and sediments flow into a creek/stream Elevations around streams have a big impact on its health. If the area around a stream is highly developed, the pollution will probably be increased.

Pollution in creeks/streams Human impacts on streams: Trash Pollutants Sediments Pollutions effect the water quality around the stream.

Chemical and Physical Stream Health Depends On Dissolved oxygen Nitrate nitrogen Phosphorus Turbidity pH Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Temperature change Flow Rate Pebble Count

Dissolved Oxygen The amount of oxygen dissolved in a body of water. Fish, invertebrates, plants, and aerobic bacteria all require oxygen for respiration.

Dissolved Oxygen As is shown in the graph, the dissolved oxygen was significantly higher in the riffle area. This is due to the intake of Oxygen during churning of the water in the riffle.

Nitrate Nitrogen Nitrogen-containing compounds are nutrients that contribute to plant growth. To much nitrogen can cause excessive plant growth.

Total Phosphorus Phosphorus is a nutrient that is necessary by all organisms for the basic processes of life. We tested Phosphorus in three areas of the stream; before, during, and after the riffle. All values were 0.06mg/L which is a healthy level.

Turbidity Turbidity is the cloudiness of the water. It is caused by individual particles that alone are invisible to the naked eye.

pH Levels The pH was lower after the riffle. The churning of water caused more CO2 to enter the water creating carbonic acid and lowering the pH. pH is a measure of the alkalinity or acidity of the water.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Is a chemical test of how quickly organisms use up oxygen.

Healthy Temperature Water temperature is very important for the health of all life in the stream. We tested it before, in, and after a riffle.

Healthy Chemical Levels Healthy Levels for dissolved oxygen ( % of saturation) are 80 to >90. Healthy pH levels are 6.5 – 9 Healthy Turbidity levels are 2-5 (NTU) Healthy Temperature levels for fish spawning are degrees Celsius or less. Healthy levels for fish health would be between degrees Celsius. Healthy Phosphorus levels would be 0.04 (g/m3) or less. Healthy nitrogen levels would be 0.5 (g/m3) or less

Flow Rate “Stream flow, or discharge, is the volume of water moving past a cross-section of a stream over a set period of time. It is usually measured in cubic feet per second (cfs).”

Pebble Count A pebble count is a fairly accurate way to assess what type of substrate you have in your stream. In a stretch of 200ft, you will randomly pick up and identify 100 rocks. Take 3 steps in a zigzag pattern, and pick of the first stone you touch, and identify it as gravel, cobble, or boulder.

Habitat Evaluation

Why Look at Habitats? Examining the habitats of a stream is crucial because “the condition of land within and adjacent to the stream channel is critical to the stream and its ability to support aquatic life.” (Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training Manual, 3-1)

Stream Habitats Riffles – Shallow, faster moving areas of a stream. Runs – Medium depth with slow moving water. Usually seen right after a pool. Pools – Deep areas with little to no water flow. Areas of fish cover Photo from: Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training Manual

Riparian Zone Refers to areas adjacent to the stream channel. Provides streams with: –Bank support –Erosion and flood control –Water quality protection –Fish and wildlife habitat –Scenic beauty

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Streams Healthy: ~ Variety of Habitats ~ Pools, riffles, and runs. ~ Riparian vegetation ~ Meanders Unhealthy: ~ Channelized ~ Even depth throughout the stream ~ No Riparian vegetation (causes erosion)

Field Equipment

Macroinvertebrates in streams Organisms that have no backbone and are visible to the naked eye. Macroinvertebrates are important in the food web of a stream. Macroinvertebrates can indicate stream health depending the organisms present.

Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Stream Health Different species have varied pollution tolerances. Stonefly, mayfly, caddis fly and dobsonfly larvae all indicate excellent stream health. Planaria, leeches, blood midges and aquatic worms can indicate poor water quality.

Functional Groups Shredders- shred and chew leaves, twigs and other material that falls into the stream EX. Stonefly, Crane fly, Caddisfly larvae Collector-gatherers- Collect or filter small organisms or shredded material for food EX. Stonefly, Mayfly, Caddisfly larvae Scrapers-grazers- Scrape food sources off surfaces EX. Stonefly, Mayfly larvae Predators- Eat other insects as a food source EX. Stoneflies, some mayfly and caddisfly larvae

Pollution Tolerance Index A qualitative stream assessment for water quality Different organisms tolerate varied amounts of pollution Organisms with low tolerance indicate great water quality; high tolerances can indicate poor water quality The index determines water quality by multiplying the number of obtained taxa by a weighting factor

Pollution Tolerance Index: Stonefly Nymph 4 Damselfly Nymph 3 Midge larvae 0 Left-handed snail 0 Mayfly Nymph 36 Dragonfly Nymph 0 Black Fly Larvae 0 Aquatic Worms 0 Caddis fly Larvae 14 Sowbug 0 Planaria 0 Blood Midge 0 Dobsonfly Larvae 2 Scud 0 Leech 0 Rat-tailed Maggot 0 PT group1 PT group2 PT group3 PT group4 # of TAXA_4_# of TAXA_1_# of TAXA _0_ (X4)_16_(X3)_3_(X2)_0_(X1)_0_ Rating:19 (good) 23+ Excellent Good Fair 10 or Less Poor Many of the macroinvertebrates that were found are intolerant of pollution.

Techniques for catching the Fish and Amphibians The amphibians are caught differently then the fish. –Salamanders They can usually be found under old rotten logs. –Once you found one you slowly cup your hands around (but make sure your hands are wet) and gently pick them up. –Fish For the fish you use a net or a seine Walk slowly from the down stream side and periodically lift the net

Johnny Darter (Etheostoma nigrum) Identification:Identification: –Dark brown X’s and W’s along side –Wavy brown lines on upper side –Moderately blunt snout –It is intermediate to pollution –Johnny Darters were mainly found in the pools. –Live in waters between 4 – 18°C –Max length 7.2 cm

Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdi) Identification:Identification: –Robust body –Large head –Light to dark brown above –Large black spots at front and rear of first dorsal fin –Has very large front pectoral fins –Bottom feeder –They are caught mainly in riffles then pools and glides –This fish is intolerant to pollution in streams. –They can can’t live in streams above 62 degrees F (17 degrees C) and survive waters as low as 32 degrees F –Maximum Length: 6-7" (15-18 cm).

Rhinichthys atratulus Blacknose Dace Identification:Identification: –Eyes high on head –Long fleshy snout extends in front of sub-terminal mouth –Has a black line on both sides that run down from the mouth to the dorsal. –The fish is pollution tolerant. –This fish usually lives in water temperatures ranging from 0 – 29°C. –Maximum length 10.0 cm

Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata) Identification: Dorsal coloration - yellowish- orangeDorsal coloration - yellowish- orange Two black dorsal stripesTwo black dorsal stripes Stripes break into dots towards end of tailStripes break into dots towards end of tail They usually live under logs or large stones near the rivers.They usually live under logs or large stones near the rivers. They are also intolerant to pollution in the streamsThey are also intolerant to pollution in the streams the length of the salamander is between 2 1 /2 –3 3 /4 in. ( cm.)the length of the salamander is between 2 1 /2 –3 3 /4 in. ( cm.) Once a larvae is found in a stream the larvae then immediately indicates a class 3 stream. They take 1 to 3 years to morph from larvae to an adult and must live in the water at the time of this. Bottom picture Adult, top is a larvae