MBSS Site Summary for: PATL-301-R-2015

Site Photos

Field photo showing stream conditions at site PATL-301-R-2015_midpoint-looking-downstream (Opens in a new window) Field photo showing stream conditions at site PATL-301-R-2015_midpoint-looking-upstream (Opens in a new window)

Located on WEST BRANCH PATAPSCO RIVER in the Patapsco River L N Br watershed, 8-digit code: 02130906.
This stream was visited in the spring on 3/17/2015 and again in the summer on 6/3/2015.

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 Poor - 1.7 / 5.0
Benthic IBI Poor - 2.0 / 5.0

Land Use

Land use can provide important information for determining stream health.
(Hint: Screen readers will announce definitions; mouse users can hover over dotted text.)
Catchment area 1,827 acres A highly channelized urban stream with concrete banks. An example of a highly channelized urban stream.
Urban Land Use 83 %
Agricultural Land Use 0 %
Forested Land Use 16.7 %


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

Physical Stream Habitat
Instream Habitat 12/20 (Suboptimal)
Epifaunal Substrate 11/20 (Suboptimal)
Velocity/Depth Diversity 13/20 (Suboptimal)
Pool Quality
Pool Extent = 40 meters 		12/20 (Suboptimal)
Riffle Quality
Riffle Extent = 43 meters 		12/20 (Suboptimal)
Shading 70 %
Embeddedness 45 %


Stream Water Quality:
pH (lab) 8.1
Alkalinity
(acid neutralizing capacity) 		1311.3 µeq/L
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 1.4918 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
Blacknose Dace 101
American Eel 10
Creek Chub 7
White Sucker 2
Bluegill 1
Green Sunfish 1
Biologists sampling fish communities.
Electrofishing to sample fish communities.

Amphibians and Reptiles:
Northern Two-Lined Salamander
Pickerel Frog

Crayfish:
Procambarus clarkii

Exotic Plants:
English Ivy
Garlic Mustard
Japanese Honeysuckle
Japanese Stiltgrass
Multiflora Rose
Porcelainberry
Shrub Honeysuckle
Tree Of Heaven
 

Benthic Macroinvertebrates:
Sensitive taxa: Green, Tolerant: Red, Intermediate: Gold.
Genus/Family Common Name Count
Orthocladius Non-Biting Midges 41
Cheumatopsyche Net-Spinning Caddisfly 14
Psephenus Water Penny 14
Hydropsyche Net-Spinning Caddisfly 12
Chimarra Fingernet Caddisfly 8
Thienemannimyia Group Non-Biting Midges 6
Tvetenia Non-Biting Midges 5
Orthocladiinae Midge 5
Parametriocnemus Non-Biting Midges 5
Clinocera Aquatic Dance Fly 3
Tipula Crane Fly 2
Crangonyx Amphipod 1
Stenelmis Beetle 1
Ceratopogonidae Biting Midge 1
Simulium Black Fly 1
Paratanytarsus Non-Biting Midges 1
Sympotthastia Non-Biting Midges 1
Cricotopus Non-Biting Midges 1
Diamesinae Non-Biting Midges 1
Eukiefferiella Non-Biting Midges 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.