IN STREAM SAMPLING METHOD

1. EVALUATE STREAM CHARACTER ie. RUNS, POOLS, EDDIES, RIFFLES
2. PLAN TO TAKE AT LEAST 2 SAMPLES FROM EACH HABITAT TYPE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STREAM IF POSSIBLE.
3. SAMPLE FOR 45 MINUTES. USE THE REMAINING TIME AFTER THE STREAM SEGMENT SAMPLE TO TRAVERSE THE STREAM FROM SIDE TO SIDE ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE REACH.
4. TRY NOT TO TAKE TOO MUCH TIME TO EVALUATE THE BUGS WHILE IN THE STREAM. KEEP MOST IDENTIFICATION WORK FOR THE LAB
5. IDENTIFICATION SPACE WILL BE SET UP IN RM.261 MURCHIE AT UM-FLINT
   

Habitat Evaluation: Notes from the May 26 meeting

Section 1: General Information

*We have completed the stream name, number, location and county items and we will record the township and range information after the sampling

*Teams need to complete date, time and investigators

Section 2: Weather Conditions

*Complete all items

Section 3: Stream Habitat

*There was considerable discussion about the first three measurement items in this section: width, depth and velocity.

• Width can be measured using the tape in 3 places along the 200-300 foot reach that is being evaluated. Average these measurements
• Depth should be measured at three places across one section of the stream - 1/4 way across, 1/2 way across, and 3/4 way across. Obtain these measurements by using the handle of the net as a measuring rod. Average these three measurements.
• Velocity has to be measured by timing the passage of a floating object over a measured distance. We recommend that you use a 30-foot stretch for the measurement and float a piece of stick from the stream bank to obtain the velocity time. Set the stick above the first measurement station so it has obtained momentum before your timing begins.
• We can work out the estimated flow back in the lab.

*Other comments about the stream habitat section of the form:

• Leave the "Dominant Watershed Soil Type" item blank. We will complete it in the lab
• Aquatic plants:

1. Periphyton are microscopic organisms that attach to material in the stream. If the rock or cobble appears to be green or have patches of algae then periphyton are present

2. Filamentous Algae are attached to the substrate and extend as linear strings downstream

3. Macrophytes are plant in the stream with leaf-type structures

Section 4: Benthic Macroinvertebrates

There was an extended discussion on how to collect the macroinvertebrate samples. It was decided that using our feet to dislodge organisms in the stream was the best method to use since it is repeatable at each site. To remove organisms from logs or other pieces of wood Dr. Pace recommends using your hands but scraping the material with a stick is also acceptable.

We have included some ziplock bags in the equipment pack. If you use these to store and transport your samples please mark them with your site number so they don’t get mixed up back in the lab.

If you find crayfish, count them, but leave them in the stream. Bring back all other invertebrates to the lab.

Reminders

1. Be sure every person involved in the sampling has completed an NCR’s insurance cover form.

2. You will probably need waders for the sampling. We have some waders in the office if you need them. They are not insulated and may leak a little but we used them when checking the sites and only managed to get my old sneakers and jeans a little damp!

3. Please clean off the equipment at the stream site before you bring it back to the lab. Do not use detergent, just rinse in the stream.