We follow Virginia Save Our Streams protocols to sample aquatic macroinvertebrates (also known as water critters.) Like other plants and animals, different types of aquatic macroinvertebrates live in different niches --- some prefer clear, cool streams with fast-flowing water while others thrive in polluted water below straight-pipes. By counting the number of each type of macroinvertebrate in the water, we are able to determine the relative health of the stream.
Our stream monitoring program is also just plain fun. Who can resist wading in a stream on a summer day?
2010 STEAM TESTING DATES:
Session 1 (Winter) – February 1 to March 15
Session 2 (Spring) – April 1 to May 15
Session 3 (Summer) – July 1 to August 15
Session 4 (Fall) – October 1 to November 15
Updates from the Field
October 10, 2008 --- Take a look at our summary map for summer 2008 (shown to the left.) Or download a higher quality copy (2.2 MB, pdf.) Three of the sites we plan to include in our study had water levels too low to monitor this summer, and the drought may have affected other data as well. But this summer's monitoring gives us a good start on the monitoring program!
August 30, 2008 --- Jackie and Sheila monitored Burns Creek, finding the creek to be acceptable with a score of 10 out of 12. Despite an abundance of midges which can be a sign of pollution, the stream also contained dozens of sensitive stoneflies and mayflies which are signs of stream health.
August 20, 2008 --- Although Big Stoney Creek had few suitable monitoring spots due to running straight over bedrock, the stream tested out pristine, rating a perfect 12 out of 12.
August 19, 2008 --- Roaring Branch was too dry to monitor, so Kathy and Sam chose a site just downstream in the North Fork of the Powell River. Over a third of the macroinvertebrates caught were red worms and snails were abundant, both signs of pollution by organic waste such as sewage. The river had an unacceptable rating of 7.
August 8, 2008 --- Clear Creek was found to be just barely unacceptable with a rating of 7. Midge larvae made up almost half of the sample, a sign that some type of pollution is impacting the stream.
July 8, 2008 --- Several of us monitored Devil's Fork in Ft. Blackmore under cloudy skies and discovered that the water was pristine. The stream received a score of 11 out of 12 --- the highest score yet this summer!
July 1, 2008 --- Myra and Angie were disappointed to discover that the Clinch River near Dungannon was in the gray zone with a rating of 8. The river contained a large number of snails, many of which were lunged, suggesting organic waste has entered the river somewhere between Carfax and Dungannon.
June 21, 2008 --- Sharon and Frank monitored Tom's Creek in Coeburn. As we suspected due to previous chemical tests, the creek is in an unacceptable ecological condition. Sensitive macroinvertebrates such as mayflies and stoneflies were rare. Instead, Sharon and Frank found tolerant macroinvertebrates such as red worms, Asian clams, and midge larvae. Although the cause of the bad water quality is uncertain, it is likely linked to runoff from the urban areas combined with mining upstream.
