During August and September, 1992, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducted an intensive survey of the Bear Creek basin. Bear Creek is a small direct tributary to the Mississippi River via the Canton Chute and drains approximately 392 square miles in portions of northern Adams and southern Hancock counties in west-central Illinois. The purpose of the survey was to document current ambient water quality conditions, evaluate existing biotic integrity and determine use support assessments. Data collected from seven stations included fish, macroinvertebrates, instream habitat and land use information, along with water and sediment chemistry.