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Stream Monitoring
Since 1999, Hamilton County
stream water quality has been
biomonitored.
Benthic macroinvertebrates are
organisms without a backbone
that are seen with the unaided
eye, and that live on the bottom
of streams. These organisms are
biological indicators of water
quality, and species composition
is indicative of stream health.
A sample is taken by disturbing
the bottom of a stream,
overturning rocks, and scuffing
debris, and organisms float
downstream into a kick net.
In the lab, organisms are
identified and stream health is
determined by the types of
organisms found. Benthic
macroinvertebrates are excellent
bio-indicators because part or
all of their life cycle takes
place in the stream, they are
relatively immobile, and are
indicative of local conditions.
If trends show deteriorating
water quality, improvement
recommendations can be made for
the riparian zone surrounding
the stream. These
parameters establish baseline
data
that is necessary to determine
long term trends in stream water
quality.
Reports
1999 Stream Assessment
2000
Stream Assessment
2003
Stream Assessment
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