MBSS Site Summary for: LOWI-314-R-2009

Site Photos

Field photo showing stream conditions at site LOWI-314-R-2009-1 (Opens in a new window) Field photo showing stream conditions at site LOWI-314-R-2009-2 (Opens in a new window)

Located on South Prong Beaverdam Creek in the Lower Wicomico River watershed, 8-digit code: 02130301.
This stream was visited in the spring on 3/24/2009 and again in the summer on 7/20/2009.

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 - 3.6 / 5.0

Land Use

Land use can provide important information for determining stream health.
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Catchment area 2,672 acres A highly channelized urban stream with concrete banks. An example of a highly channelized urban stream.
Urban Land Use 52.8 %
Agricultural Land Use 40.3 %
Forested Land Use 6 %


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

Physical Stream Habitat
Instream Habitat not sampled
Epifaunal Substrate not sampled
Velocity/Depth Diversity not sampled
Pool Quality not sampled
Riffle Quality not sampled
Shading not sampled
Embeddedness not sampled


Stream Water Quality:
pH (lab) 6.78
Alkalinity
(acid neutralizing capacity) 		469.9 µeq/L
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 3.7775 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:
Redbelly Turtle

Crayfish:
No crayfish noted.

Exotic Plants:
Bamboo
English Ivy
Oriental Bittersweet
 

Benthic Macroinvertebrates:
Sensitive taxa: Green, Tolerant: Red, Intermediate: Gold.
Genus/Family Common Name Count
Ablabesmyia Non-Biting Midge 24
Dicrotendipes Non-Biting Midges 23
Procladius Non-Biting Midge 7
Paratanytarsus Non-Biting Midges 7
Orthocladius Non-Biting Midges 6
Tanytarsus Non-Biting Midges 5
Corbicula Basket Clam 3
Tubificidae Aquatic Worm 2
Glyptotendipes 2
Gammarus Amphipod 2
Caenis Mayfly 2
Pisidiidae Pill Clam 2
Ferrissia Small Air-Breathing Freshwater Limpets 1
Polycentropus Tube Maker Caddisfly 1
Phaenopsectra Non-Biting Midges 1
Orthocladiinae Midge 1
Clinotanypus Non-Biting Midge 1
Nanocladius Non-Biting Midges 1
Hyalella Amphipod 1
Libellula 1
Menetus Air Breathing Freshwater Snail 1
Cladopelma 1
Ceratopogonidae Biting Midge 1
Parakiefferiella European Non-Biting Midge 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.