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ASSESSING HEADWATER STREAMS: LINKING LANDSCAPES TO STREAM NETWORKS
Citation:
Fritz, K M., B R. Johnson, D M. Walters, AND J E. Flotemersch. ASSESSING HEADWATER STREAMS: LINKING LANDSCAPES TO STREAM NETWORKS. Presented at Science Forum 2004, Washington, DC, June 1-3, 2004.
Impact/Purpose:
The goal of this research is to develop methods and indicators that are useful for evaluating the condition of aquatic communities, for assessing the restoration of aquatic communities in response to mitigation and best management practices, and for determining the exposure of aquatic communities to different classes of stressors (i.e., pesticides, sedimentation, habitat alteration).
Description:
Headwater streams represent a significant land-water boundary and drain 70-80% of the landscape. Headwater streams are vital components to drainage systems and are directly linked to our downstream rivers and lakes. However, alteration and loss of headwater streams have occurred without an understanding of the consequences to larger downstream waterbodies. Furthermore, headwater streams provide a more direct measure of land use effects because they drain smaller areas with less land use complexity than their larger counterparts, and therefore headwater may also be useful for identifying specific causes of water quality impairment. Drying is common in these systems and this may confound our ability to use traditional assessment methods. Understanding associations between the distribution of aquatic organisms and flow permanence is the first step in developing biocriteria for our nation's most abundant running waters. The Ecological Exposure Research Division is developing field protocols and identifying physical and biological indicators of flow permanence for headwater streams. The protocols we are developing will allow states, regions, and tribes to better classify and assess water quality in headwater streams. Through this research project the USEPA will have the tools to begin assessing condition appropriately for the majority of streams and stream miles in the United States. Protecting and improving the condition of headwater streams will result in better water quality in downstream water bodies.