Habitat Assessment

1. Concepts and Methods1. Concepts and Methods

Stream Channel

Banks - sides of the channel

Bed - bottom of channel

Substrate - the stuff on the bed

Channel carries low to moderate flows

Floodplain carries high flows

Watershed

Land use in watershed

Erosion from Watershed

Sedimentation

Impacts from Changes in Flow

Downcutting of channel

Widening of channel

Rapid Bioassessment Protocol: Habitat

Habitat for whom?

Habitat for Fish & Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Channel Habitat

High Gradient Stream

100 m

~300 ft

At least 1 riffle

Your Stream Reach

What we are asking you to do. (Once a year)

1. Photographs

2. Site Characterization Form

3. Habitat Assessment Form

Photographic Record

1. A shot from the center of the stream pointing up stream showing both banks and the riffle (if any)

2. A close up of the bottom material at the riffle.

Photographic Record

3 Label each photo

4. Attach to back of report Form

Photographic Record

Stream Name:

Sampling SiteDescription:

Survey Team:

Date of Photo

Clear Creek

Church's Grove Riffle Upstreamof Softley Farm in Franklin Co.

Report #3a

Mary Carol Cooper Alice Howell

Oscar Gerelds Ralph ReissDavid Holt Robert Palmer

4/26/99 12:30pm

SSite CharacterizationProvides Location information and Site descriptions

Habitat Assessment

10 point evaluationof the stream’secological healthand fitness

Habitat Assessment reporting1. Complete the forms immediately

Use ball point pen or #2 pencil (nothing that runs) Store in zip lock bag while on the river.

2. Attach Photographs and render maps.

3. Mail in collection as soon as possible to this address:

Water Watch Program14 Reilly RoadFrankfort, KY 40601

Habitat Assessment Quality Control

1. Volunteers must have completed training in Habitat Assessment Technique (this course).

2. Two trained volunteers must participate in the evaluation and agree on all the parameters.

3. Photographic records will be kept on at least 3 sites evaluated by the team for later

comparison.

Habitat Assessment Measurements

1. Epifaunal Substrate / Available Cover2. Embeddedness3. Velocity-Depth Combinations4. Sediment Deposition5. Channel Flow Status6. Channel Alteration7. Frequency of Riffles8. Bank Stability

9. Bank Vegetative Protection10. Riparian Vegetative Zone Width

Categories

Scores