Black Rock Forest Stream Quality Survey
The purpose of this form is to help you in gathering and recording important information about the health of your stream. By keeping accurate records of your observations and information from your count, you can notice and record changes in water quality.
Stream Name ___________________________________________________________
Station # ____________________________ Location _____________________
County _____________________________ State ________________________
Group Number/Name _________________________________________________
Number of participants ________________________
Weather Conditions ___________________________
Stream width (average) _______ ft. Stream depth (in riffle) ________ in.
Flow rate: high _____ low _____ normal ______
Note: You should select a riffle where the water is not running too fast (ideal depth is 3-12 inches), and the bed consists of cobble-sized stones or larger.
Monitored riffle area (should be between 6 and 9 feet square):
Water depth (inches) __________ Water temperature ____________
Date _________________________ Time _________________________
Invertebrate Count
Use the stream sampling procedures to collect your samples and classify your catch. After counting each type of organism found, assign a (1) for any sampling of 1-9 organisms, a (2) for any sampling of 10-99 organisms and a (3) for any sampling of 100 or more. Then add up the total for each column and multiply by the indicated index value. Each column represents a group of invertebrates with a similar sensitivity to pollution.
SENSITIVE |
SOMEWHAT-SENSITIVE |
TOLERANT |
| __ caddisfly larvae | __ beetle larvae | __ aquatic worms |
| __ helligrammite | __ clams | __ blackfly larvae |
| __ mayfly nymph | __ crane fly larvae | __ leeches |
| __ gilled snails | __ crayfish | __ midge larvae |
| __ riffle beetle adult | __ damselfly nymphs | __ pouch (& other) snails |
| __ stonefy nymphs | __ dragonfly nymphs | |
| __ water penny larvae | __ scuds | |
| __ sowbugs | ||
| __ fishfly larvae | ||
| __ alderfly larvae | ||
| __ atherix | ||
___ total times 3 = index value ____ |
___ total times 2 = index value ____ |
___ total times 1 = index value ____ |
Now add together the three index values = ____ total index values
Compare this total index value to the numbers below to determine the quality of the water in your stream. Good water quality is indicated by a variety of different organisms, with no one kind making up the majority of the sample.
Water Quality Rating
___ Excellent (>22) ___ Good (17-22) ___ Fair (11-16) ___ Poor (<11)
*Adapted from the Izzac Walton League Save Our Streams Stream Quality Survey
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