Water Monitoring
Water Monitoring
Trend monitoring is the primary testing method used by Hoosier Riverwatch. To get an accurate picture of a stream's water quality, tests have to be performed on a regular basis, over a period of years. Trend monitoring provides a broad view of the stream allowing the seasonal variations to be sorted out from long-term changes.
The Hoosier Riverwatch datasheets used to report each assessment are indices which provide volunteers with a score for each monitoring event. The scores provide a simple analysis of the quality of the stream or river site and allow comparisons over time and with other sites.
Habitat Assessment
The condition of the substrate and the land within and adjacent to the stream channel is critical to the health of the stream and its ability to support aquatic life. The Citizens Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (CQHEI) utilizes land use, substrate, flow rate, depth, shape, riparian vegetation, and erosion to provide a measure of stream habitat that affects fish and other aquatic life. More detailed information about habitat assessment procedures can be downloaded in Chapter 3 of the Training Manual.
Chemical Assessment
Eight parameters are tested: dissolved oxygen, E.coli, nitrate, total or orthophosphate, turbidity, pH, biochemical oxygen demand, and temperature change. The results of these tests are combined and weighted to determine a Water Quality Index value. Background information and testing procedures can be downloaded in Chapter 4 of the Training Manual.
Biological Assessment
Benthic macroinvertebrates are animals that are big enough (macro) to be seen with the naked eye. They lack backbones (invertebrate) and live at least part of their lives in or on the bottom (benthos) of a body of water. Macroinvertebrates include aquatic insects (such as mayflies, stoneflies, and beetles), snails, worms, freshwater clams and mussels, and crayfish. Biological assessment is based on the fact that different species tolerate pollution in different ways. Volunteers analyze the types of macroinvertebrates collected as well as the diversity of the community. Identification keys and detailed collection procedures can be found in Chapter 5 of the Training Manual.
