©2007 KBS
Missouri River Non-wadeable Tributaries
- Timeframe: 2007 - 2008
- Location: Non-wadeable tributaries of the Missouri River.
- Point-of-Contact: Debbie Baker
The majority of past biological and physiochemical assessment efforts have focused on developing tools for use in wadeable streams and the subsequent monitoring of these streams using targeted monitoring design. With few exceptions, scientists have only recently begun to develop similar tools for the assessment of non-wadeable rivers that are infrequently included in monitoring programs. In general, the lack of suitable sampling methods and the difficulty associated with sampling non-wadeable rivers have limited our ability and inclination to assess these important ecosystems. This is particularly true for non-wadeable rivers in United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 7, where regional abiotic and biotic conditions have not been fully quantified and potential reference conditions have yet to be developed for these important ecosystems. Most state monitoring programs within USEPA Region 7 have included a limited number of river sites (and other non-waded sites) and no probability based sampling programs for non-wadeable flowing water have been completed in this region, although the Great River Ecosystems (GRE) project within the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) has generated a fairly robust dataset for those portions of the Lower Missouri River and Upper Mississippi River that are designated waters of USEPA Region 7.
CPCB will assess the ecological conditions of large, non-wadeable tributaries of the Missouri River in USEPA Region 7. We will collect data from 35 randomly selected sites and 5 reference sites. The 35 site on non-wadeable tributaries of the Missouri Riverhave been randomly selected and will be sampled for a number of abiotic and biotic indicators using EMAP methodologies for non-wadeable rivers (Peck et al., In press). Prior to the start of the sampling effort in the second year, 5 reference sites will be identified a priori using a GIS “Local Proximity” model (www.epa.gov/emap/greatriver/rcw/Angradi2.pdf). In addition, we will begin to explore non-empirical definitions of reference conditions to further develop the reference selection process.
The collection and comparison of data from randomly selected test sites and a priori identified reference sites will provide: 1) general status and trend data on non-wadeable tributary health, 2) a test of the reference selection process and methodology, and 3) information on those abiotic and biotic indicators that best differentiate between reference and randomly selected test sites.
This project is funded by USEPA ORD, REMAP, and the Mid Continental Ecology Division.
Data
We have sampled 3 sites along the Kansas River in 2007, but data is not yet available. For further information, please contact Debbie Baker
Analysis, Results, or Reports
PROTOCOLS
Non-wadeable manual (Peck et al.) (pdf)
CPCB modifications from the non-wadeable manual (Peck et al.) (pdf)
Periphyton & Phytoplankton - CPCB methods (pdf)
CPCB general protocols, chemistry, and biota (html) ...............(powerpoint to download)
CPCB physical habitat (html) ...............(powerpoint to download)
Maps, Images, or Photos
Site maps of USEPA Region 7 (left), and Kansas City area (right). Dots are sites 1 - 35 to be sampled, other numbers are oversample sites 36 - 120. Click on maps for larger images.
These photos are from the Kansas River near Lecompton. Click on each for larger images. Clockwise: filtering riverwater for metal analysis, assessing physical habitat, the electrofishng boat, and electrofishing setup - livewells, generator, etc.
