MBSS Site Summary for: LOCH-443-R-2002

Site Photos

Field photo showing stream conditions at site LOCH-443-R-2002-498 (Opens in a new window) Field photo showing stream conditions at site LOCH-443-R-2002-499 (Opens in a new window)

Located on GUNPOWDER FALLS in the Loch Raven Reservoir watershed, 8-digit code: 02130805.
This stream was visited in the spring on 4/2/2002 and again in the summer on 7/25/2002.

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 Good - 4.3 / 5.0
Benthic IBI Poor - 2.3 / 5.0

Land Use

Land use can provide important information for determining stream health.
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Catchment area 1,121 acres A stream flowing through a densely forested area. An example of a forested stream.
Urban Land Use 0 %
Agricultural Land Use 22 %
Forested Land Use 77 %


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

Physical Stream Habitat
Instream Habitat 17/20 (Optimal)
Epifaunal Substrate 16/20 (Optimal)
Velocity/Depth Diversity 16/20 (Optimal)
Pool Quality
Pool Extent = 45 meters 		16/20 (Optimal)
Riffle Quality
Riffle Extent = 60 meters 		16/20 (Optimal)
Shading 70 %
Embeddedness 35 %
Several measures of instream habitat were considered 'Optimal' at this location.


Stream Water Quality:
Water temperature 12.9 ° C
Dissolved oxygen (DO) 10.7 mg/L
pH (lab) 7.75
Conductivity 160 µmho/cm
Alkalinity
(acid neutralizing capacity) 		504.6 µeq/L
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 1.8 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:
The following 6 fish species were collected.
Sensitive taxa: Green, Tolerant: Red, Intermediate: Gold.
Common name Count
Brown Trout 260
Rainbow Trout 11
American Eel 5
Blue Ridge Sculpin 4
Blacknose Dace 3
White Sucker 3
Biologists sampling fish communities.
Electrofishing to sample fish communities.

Amphibians and Reptiles:
Eastern American Toad
Fowler's Toad
Northern Green Frog
Pickerel Frog
Queen Snake

Crayfish:
No crayfish noted.

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

Benthic Macroinvertebrates:
Sensitive taxa: Green, Tolerant: Red, Intermediate: Gold.
Genus/Family Common Name Count
Ephemerella Sulphur Mayfly 36
Orthocladius Non-Biting Midges 19
Crangonyx Amphipod 14
Tvetenia Non-Biting Midges 8
Orthocladiinae Midge 6
Sphaerium Fingernail Clam 4
Cricotopus/Orthocladius Midge 4
Naididae Aquatic Worm 3
Cheumatopsyche Net-Spinning Caddisfly 3
Cricotopus Non-Biting Midges 3
Eukiefferiella Non-Biting Midges 2
Oulimnius Riffle Beetle 2
Simulium Black Fly 1
Parametriocnemus Non-Biting Midges 1
Planariidae Flatworm 1
Girardia Freshwater Flatworm 1
Prostoma Freshwater Nemertean (Ribbon Worm) 1
Lirceus Isopod 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.