Watershed Planning
Watershed Planning

Surface Water Quality
Introduction
Water Chemistry Monitoring
Water Biology — Benthic Invertebrate Sampling

Surface Water Quantity
Introduction
Streamflow & Water Levels
Precipitation
Snowpack
Baseflow
Flood Risk

Groundwater
Introduction
Groundwater Monitoring
Watershed Hydrololgy

Aquatic Habitat & Terrestrial Ecology
Introduction
Stream Assessment Data
Shorelines
Ecological Land Classification
Wetlands
Macro Stream Assessment
• overview
• understanding
City Stream Watch

WIS User Manual
User Manual


 
Macro stream Assessment
Understanding
 

Field Sheet Database
This data uses 100 metre sections of stream and assigns various land use classifications. The map highlights the 100 metre sections and uses a bar graph to illustrate the land use activity for that section of stream. The database also stores information collected on riparian and instream conditions. By clicking on the 100 metre section of interest the database that stores all of these field surveys will generate a table at the bottom of the screen.

Photo's Upstream and Downstream View
Each of the 100 metre sections surveyed also has two photos. These allow the viewer to see the upstream and downstream view of the 100 metre section.

Intensive Species List
Some surveys, depending on the level of expertise of the crew, have hyperlinks to PDFs with species lists.

Information is available upon request through this website simply clicking on the box next to the parameter needed.This turns on the “layer” of information so that it can be viewed by the user.  Such parameters include:

Human Alterations
This is a measure of how much impact human activity is having on a watercourse.   Such impacts could include residential, commercial, or industrial landuse, altered shorelines such as retaining walls, pollution sources, and bridges. Basically any activities or structures that are human in origin and could potentially affect the watercourse.  

The Macro Stream Assessment records this parameter as follows:

  • Natural: No human alterations – no human influence is seenIn a “Natural” condition but with significant alterations by man – a good condition creek but human presence is known.   Perhaps a bridge exists, one or two houses, or some garbage seen from people passing through.
  • An "Altered” waterway, with considerable influences, but still featuring significant "natural" portions – An area that is perhaps getting closer to a residential area, or near a major roadway.   The creek may be heavily used or construction along the banks is common.
  • A "Highly Altered" stream section, with few areas which could be considered "natural” stream environments – an urban creek often with much pollution and obvious changes to the shoreline.

Instream Vegtetation
In certain areas greater than normal amounts of vegetation growth are seen due to things like nutrient loading or impacts from invasive species.   The Stream Assessment estimates a percentage of vegetation seen in the 100m section.   That percentage is broken down like this:

  • Extensive (choked with weeds) – vegetation is an obstruction to flow and navigation is very difficult.   This can often be the result of one species taking over an area.
  • Common (more than 50% vegetation) – vegetation is thick but a channel of flow can still be seen.  
  • Normal (25-50% vegetation) – good flow and open water is common.   An area like this can also show a good diversity of species.
  • Low (less than 25% vegetation) – mostly open water.   Species can be seen on the bottom or in patches.
  • Rare (instream plants "few and far between") – hardly any plants seen.   This can be the result of poor conditions needed to grow or water flow may be too fast to allow for rooting of plants.   Some algae may be present.

Fish Habitat
Observations are made in the field regarding the presence of particular species but also of habitat which would be considered important to the life stages of fish.   The 100m section is then characterized based on these observations.   The survey uses the following descriptions

  • Critical – the section is known to be used for such activities as spawning, rearing, or nursery habitat.   Top predators are also present.
  • Normal – good cover and feeding areas are present.   Often a good baitfish community but can also have top predators.
  • Degraded – one or more factors exist with make this habitat poor in terms of fish habitat.   This can include, unstable banks, lack of cover, or reduced water quality from pollution.

Instream Pollution or Garbage
This parameter can be used later in identifying areas suitable for rehabilitation which can be achieved either by removing the physical garbage or identifying the sources.   Some areas have been known to contain, shopping carts, car tires, wreckage, and many other types of debris from human activity.   Cleaning up these items is a good first step to improving stream health and can show quick results.   Types of pollution are defined as:

  • Oil or gas trails in the water
  • Floating Garbage
  • Garbage on the stream bottom

Bank Characteristics
This refers to the stability of the bank and how much erosion can be seen.   In addition to cleaning up pollution in the creek, rehabilitating the banks is another excellent way to improve the health of the watercourse and see some quick results.   Banks are assessed in the 100 meter section as being stable or unstable.   This easily identifies areas that would benefit from activities such as a tree planting program or other soil stabilization.

Invasive Species Present
Main species of concern include European Frog Bit, Eurasian Milfoil, and Purple Loosestrife.   In each 100m section species such as this are recorded simply as present or absent.   There is little that can be done to reduce or remove these species without impacting the ecology of the watercourse. As such this particular parameter is used more as an indication of the impact from invasive species and to track the spread.  

 
See our surveyed streams through the Watershed Information System.