MBSS Site Summary for: LIGU-241-X-2023

Site Photos

Field photo showing stream conditions at site LIGU-241-X-2023_Midpoint_facing_downstream (Opens in a new window) Field photo showing stream conditions at site LIGU-241-X-2023_Midpoint_facing_upstream_below_beaver_dam (Opens in a new window)

Located on LITTLE GUNPOWDER FALLS in the Little Gunpowder Falls watershed, 8-digit code: 02130804.
This stream was visited in the spring on 4/24/2023 and again in the summer on 9/8/2023.

Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) Results:

An Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is a scientific tool used to identify and classify stream health. An IBI associates anthropogenic influences on a stream or with biological condition in the stream, and is formulated using data developed from biosurveys.
Details on the development and application of MBSS IBIs are in this document.
Fish IBI N R
Benthic IBI Fair - 3.3 / 5.0

Land Use

Land use can provide important information for determining stream health.
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Catchment area No data available Cows standing in a stream at a site with high agricultural land use. Cows survey the sampling procedure at this extreme example of a highly agriculturalized site.
Urban Land Use 7.4 %
Agricultural Land Use 57.1 %
Forested Land Use 34 %


Stream showing woody debris, logs, and rocky substrate.
An example of woody debris in a stream.

Physical Stream Habitat
Instream Habitat 15/20 (Suboptimal)
Epifaunal Substrate 15/20 (Suboptimal)
Velocity/Depth Diversity 14/20 (Suboptimal)
Pool Quality
Pool Extent = 37 meters 		14/20 (Suboptimal)
Riffle Quality
Riffle Extent = 38 meters 		15/20 (Suboptimal)
Shading 45 %
Embeddedness 50 %


Stream Water Quality:
Water temperature 21.3 ° C
Dissolved oxygen (DO) 8.63 mg/L
pH (lab) 7.39
Alkalinity
(acid neutralizing capacity) 		438.6 µeq/L
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 2.053 mg/L

Biological Stream Condition:

Surveys of the organisms living within a stream can give indications of stream health. Species richness, or the number of different species present, as well as indicator species (species whose presence, absence or abundance can serve as a measure of environmental conditions) are informative for stream health. 		Close-up of a mayfly indicator species.

Fish Survey Results:
Fish data is unavailable or no fish observed.

Amphibians and Reptiles:
No amphibians and reptiles noted.

Crayfish:
Faxonius limosus

Exotic Plants:
Japanese Stiltgrass
Mile-A-Minute
Multiflora Rose
 

Benthic Macroinvertebrates:
Sensitive taxa: Green, Tolerant: Red, Intermediate: Gold.
Genus/Family Common Name Count
DOLOPHILODES Medium Evening Sedge Caddisfly 16
HYDROPSYCHE Net-Spinning Caddisfly 15
POLYPEDILUM Non-Biting Midges 12
PARAMETRIOCNEMUS Non-Biting Midges 11
CHIMARRA Fingernet Caddisfly 9
CHEUMATOPSYCHE Net-Spinning Caddisfly 7
TVETENIA Non-Biting Midges 7
STENONEMA Flatheaded Mayfly 6
MICROPSECTRA Non-Biting Midges 6
ORTHOCLADIUS Non-Biting Midges 4
THIENEMANNIMYIA GROUP Non-Biting Midges 3
HYDROPSYCHIDAE Common Netspinner Caddisfly 3
NEOPHYLAX Caddisfly 2
CRICOTOPUS Non-Biting Midges 2
DICROTENDIPES Non-Biting Midges 1
EUKIEFFERIELLA Non-Biting Midges 1
NANOCLADIUS Non-Biting Midges 1
CHIRONOMIDAE Non-Biting Midge 1
ORTHOCLADIINAE Midge 1
HEPTAGENIIDAE Flathead Mayfly 1
ANTOCHA Crane Fly 1
STENELMIS Beetle 1
SIMULIUM Black Fly 1
DIAMESA Bloodworm 1
RHEOCRICOTOPUS Non-Biting Midges 1
OPTIOSERVUS Riffle Beetle 1
OULIMNIUS Riffle Beetle 1
ACENTRELLA Tiny Blue-Winged Olive Mayflies 1
PSEPHENUS Water Penny 1
LUMBRICULIDAE Worm 1
Kick net sampling for macroinvertebrates.
Sampling with a kick net.

Information disclaimer: The information and data on this page is for guidance and general planning purposes only. It should not be used to make decisions on specific matters.