NATIONAL RIVERS AND STREAMS ASSESSMENT

PROJECT

2008–2009 Update

2013–2014 ORSANCO Involvement

The National Rivers and Streams Assessment

Purpose: to generate statistically-valid and environmentally relevant reports on the

condition of the Nation’s water resources

Core questions:

1) What is the current condition of the nation’s rivers and streams as reported?• Nationally for all targeted population (perennial streams through

Great Rivers) • Regionally

2) Which stressors are contributing the most to the degradation of river and stream condition?

ORSANCO INVOLVEMENT

9 sites completed between August and September 2008 on the mainstem Ohio River with two additional revisits for a total of 11 sampling events. 13 sites and 3 revisits (16 total events)

completed between May and September 2009 on smaller streams and tributaries to the mainstem Ohio River.

2008 / 2009 NRSA ResultsRegional Scales

Biological Condition ratings determined by multimetric indices (MMIs) for fish, periphyton and macroinvertebrates.

Reference conditions were established using screened least disturbed sites.Water chemistry data were compared to thresholds used in the WSA (2004).Human Health indicators were compared to EPA thresholds.

Biological condition of the nation's rivers and streams (USEPA/NRSA).

Fish MMI, Habitat results

Periphyton MMI results

Macroinvertebrate MMI results

NRSA 2013 - 2014The opportunity to participate in the 2013 - 2014 NRSA project has

been offered to ORSANCO.

This could include sampling up to 31 sites within the Ohio River Basin over the course of the next two years.

The National Rivers and Streams Assessment

ORSANCO Biologists will sample 10 boatable Ohio River Basin sites in Spring 2013, and hire a contract crew leader in July 2013 using surplus funds earned by the project. The contract biologist will then sample the remaining 21 boatable sites in the Ohio River Basin by September 2014.

NRSA 2013 - 2014