Andrew Lipsky

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Rhode island Watershed Stewardship Class
Introduction to Stream Visual Assessment Providenc
e, RI September 26, 2006

• Andrew Lipsky
• State Biologist
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Andrew.Lipsky_at_ri.usda.gov

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Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP)
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Stream Visual Assessment Protocal-SVAPOne among
Many

• All protocols, indices, and assessment tools used
  to characterize stream condition.
• Vary significantly in required scale, expertise,
  and data intensity.

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Healthy Stream Ecosystems
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Habitat Thresholds
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SVAP

• Qualitative and meant to be conducted with the
  input and assistance of the landowner
• Allows relatively fast assessment of meaningful
  stream and riparian characteristics
• Provides the basics for planning stream and
  riparian conservation practices

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Benchmarks

• So, how do you figure out how a stream should
  look???
• Reference sites Benchmarks that serve as
  examples of relatively unimpacted systems that
  exhibit a complete set of structural and
  functional elements
• You may have to contact/collaborate with other
  agencies who have reference site data in the
  basin of interest

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Using SVAP

• Two part approach Reach identification and
  assessment
• Select a representative reach
• If channel changes dramatically, add additional
  reaches
• Determine active channel (bankfull) width
• Assessment reach 12 X bankfull width
• Example Bankfull Width 32 feet
• Assess at least 384 feet

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Scoring

• Maximum 15 stream elements to score
• Range of scores 10 (best conditions) to 0
  (worst conditions)
• Macroinvertebrates 15 to -3
• Score only elements that are relevant to the
  reach you are assessing
• Intermediate scoring is allowed

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SVAP Assessment

• Two page worksheet with 15 assessment elements
• Not all elements are applicable everywhere in the
  US
• Overall score summation of all scored values
  divided by the number scored
• EXAMPLE 12 elements scored
• Sum 82
• SVAP Score 82/12 6.8 (Fair)

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Bankfull Channel Width

• Determines the length of the assessment reach
• Numerous field indicators to determine bankfull
  channel width some stronger according to
  physiographic region
• ALWAYS try to measure bankfull channel width just
  upstream of a hydraulic control
• Riffles, bedrock outcrops, waterfalls, etc.

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Bankfull Channel Width
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K. Gullett photo
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Embryonic active floodplain developing in incised
channel. Stage IV of channel evolution. a.
Abandoned floodplain b. Active floodplain
indicating bankfull stage
Adapted from Vermont Stream Geomorphic Assessment
VT Agency of Natural Resources
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SVAP Scoring Elements
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Channel Condition
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Channel Condition
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Hydrologic Alteration
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Hydrologic Alteration
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Riparian Zone
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Left Bank Narrow Riparian Buffer
Right Bank No Buffer Emergent Vegetation boundary
Sept.18, 2004 Flood level in Town hay field
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Bank Stability
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Bank Stability
U. of Wash. photo
K. Gullett photo
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Water Appearance
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Water Appearance
K. Gullett photo
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Nutrient Enrichment
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Nutrient Enrichment
M. Zuroske photo
D. Orth photo
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Barriers to Fish Movement
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Barriers to Fish Passage-A regional and local
perspective
Barriers to Fish Passage in RI

• Dams of the Eastern United States

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• Impacts of River and Stream Dams/Crossings
• Habitat loss and degradation
• Alteration of Ecological Processes
• Population fragmentation isolation
• Reduced access to vital habitats
• Disruption of processes that maintain regional
  populations

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Passage Barriers
K. Gullett photo
K. Gullett photo
USFS photo
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The RI River Stream Continuity Project
The RI River Stream Continuity ProjectRoad
Crossings as Potential Barriers to Wildlife and
Fish Movement
Watershed Approach
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Alosids Declining Populations
Current Commercial Shad Harvest 5 of Historic
Catch
Data provided by RIDEM Fish Wildlife
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Instream Fish Cover
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Aquatic Habitats formed by the free movement of
water and materials, during high flows
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Habitat Structure
Minnows/sucker
Brook trout
Bass/sunfish
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Fish and Invertebrate Habitat
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Instream Fish Cover
U. of Wash. photo
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Pools
A stream with many pool types will support a wide
variety of aquatic species. Rivers with low
sinuosity (few bends) and monotonous pool
characteristics do not have sufficient quantities
and variety of habitat to support a diverse
aquatic community. An even mix of all pool types
is most desirable. In the absence of some pool
types, it is better to have deep pools over
shallow pools. All small-shallow pools or lack of
pools entirely are the least desirable
conditions.
A stream with many pool types will support a wide
variety of aquatic species. Rivers with low
sinuosity (few bends) and monotonous pool
characteristics do not have sufficient quantities
and variety of habitat to support a diverse
aquatic community. An even mix of all pool types
is most desirable. In the absence of some pool
types, it is better to have deep pools over
shallow pools. All small-shallow pools or lack of
pools entirely are the least desirable
conditions.
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Pools
Refuge for fish during low flow, drought
periods Resting and feeding area Refuge
from predators
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Stream Bed Terminology

• Riffles the sections of the bed with the
  steepest slopes and shallowest depths at flows
  below bankfull. Riffles typically occur at the
  cross over locations and have a poorly defined
  thalweg.
• Runs differ from riffles in that depth of flow
  is typically greater and slope of the bed is less
  than that of riffles. Runs will often have a well
  defined thalweg.
• Pools are the deepest locations of the reach.
  Water surface slope of pools at below bankfull
  flows is near zero. Pools are often located at
  the outside of meander bends.

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Stream BedTerminology

• Glides are located immediately downstream of
  pools. The slope of the channel bed through a
  glide is negative while the slope of the water
  surface is positive. The head of the glide can be
  difficult to identify. Use the following
  characteristics to help you locate the head of
  the glide
• the location of increased flow velocity coming
  out of the pool,
• the location at which the steeply sloped bed
  rising out of the pool decreases to a lesser
  gradient,
• the location at which the thalweg coming out of
  the pool becomes less well defined and
  essentially fades completely.
• the location which is approximately same
  elevation as the tail of the run

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Invertebrate Habitat
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Invertebrate Habitat
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Canopy Cover
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Canopy Cover
AFS photo
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Manure Presence
Score only if livestock and/or human waste
discharge is present
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Manure Presence
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Riffle Embeddedness
Score only if riffles are present, a naturally
occurring alluvial feature, or known to be buried.
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Riffle Embeddedness
K. Gullett photo
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Macroinvertebrates Observed
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Macroinvertebrates Observed
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Group I Mayfly- Ephemeroptera (collector)
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Group I Stonefly-Plecoptera (Shredder)
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Group II Crayfish-Crustacean
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Group II Dragon Fly
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Group III Midge Fly Larvae
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Summary

• Assess stream reach 12 X bankfull width
• Score a maximum 15 elements use those applicable
  to your site
• Assign a rating for each elementintermediate
  scoring is OK
• Calculate overall score
• Determine the narrative rating
• Describe potential causes of poor conditions and
  recommendations for improving them

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Identify Reaches to be evaluated
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In 1735 The RI General Assembly stated that any
mill owner erecting a dam across a water where
migratory fish normally pass had to provide a
good and sufficient Way through such Dam or Weir
for the fish to pass and repass that be opened
during the spring runs.,
Courtesy of Buckley and Nixon(2001) An Historical
Assessment of Anadromous Fish in the Blackstone
River