Biological surveys of Gillie Creek in the Richmond area, the Appomattox River in the Petersburg area, and Bailey Creek between Fort Lee and Hopewell (all tributaries of the James River in Virginia) were conducted in August 1967. The surveys were centered on these areas, as each of them was known to have serious pollution problems, and additional data were needed. For purposes of the study, the community of bottom (benthic) organisms was selected as indicator of the biological condition of the stream. Bottom organisms serve as the preferred food source for higher aquatic forms and exhibit similar reactions to adverse stream conditions.