Rapid Assessment of Stream Quality

Equipment Checklist

• wading boots or waders
• map, data sheet, field notebook, calculator, pencil, and clipboard
• measure tape and stick
• secchi disk (optional)
• float and watch (for calculating surface velocity)
• personal floatation device
• first aid kit
• camera (optional)

General collection instructions
Volunteers visit practical access points (usually at a bridge where a road crosses the stream) and collect important information about the condition of the stream (e.g. stream width, water depth, substrate composition, water clarity, stream flow, bank vegetation, and land use). This is only possible in streams that are shallow enough to wade. Stream depth varies within the channel so always use caution when entering or crossing any stream. If the water is too deep mid-channel or if the current is too fast, simply indicate this on the data sheet. Always work with another person and wear a PFD (personal flotation device). If conditions preclude safe sampling, forgo that site!
Data Collection Procedures (detailed information regarding data collection procedures)
Data Sheet (data sheets for use in the field (optional))

Important Considerations, Miscellaneous Information and Field Hints

• For safety reasons, never work alone and always let someone else know your survey plans.
• Respect private property and choose access points to the stream that cause the least impact.
• Watch for sharp rocks, broken glass or other dangerous objects!
• It is easiest if there is one person in charge of recording data while another person makes the measurements.
• Record data in a field notebook and transfer the information to the data sheet after calculations have been made. To ensure you collect the appropriate data, pre-label the field notebook with "fields" from the data sheet.
• Zip lock bags are a great way to keep all your materials together and dry!
• Determining the left and right banks is done while facing upstream.
• Upstream is the direction the water flows from. If you are standing in the stream channel watching the water flow toward you, you are facing upstream. Conversely, if the water is flowing away from you, you are facing downstream.

Conservation Issues and Ethics
Because many species of freshwater mussels are listed as threatened or endangered and it is illegal to possess such animals (dead or alive!), collecting recently dead or relic shell material is not recommended. Do not handle living mussels. While they appear to be hardy, they are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Even if an animal is returned to the water quickly, improper positioning can kill the mussel. Please do not handle living mussels!

Photo Documentation (optional)
Photo documentation of the stream is valuable for many reasons. The information captured in a picture may be helpful at a later date especially in long-term monitoring projects or when restoration work is in progress within the study stream. Also, it is sometimes helpful to take pictures of uncommon plants or animals for identification purposes since collecting is neither advised nor encouraged. Simply take a few pictures of the stream(s) and the surrounding area (as well as your self!) and send the photos with the completed data sheet. Record a brief description of the pictures taken and the picture numbers (from the camera) at each site on the data sheet in the Additional Notes section.

Data Quality Control
Volunteers are asked to adhere to the following procedures as part of data quality control.
1. In the field take duplicate measurements and double check the data by asking if the measurement "makes sense".
2. To maintain objectivity and minimize individual bias, alternate data collecting and recording responsibilities.
3. Lastly, before leaving a site, review the information on the data sheet for accuracy and completeness.

Data Submission
Return the completed data sheet to the address below or submit data on-line from the web site. If you have any questions, contact:

Kelly Arbuckle
Iowa State University
Department of Animal Ecology
124 Science II
Ames, IA 50011
Phone (515)-294-1808
karbuck@iastate.edu