EPA-841-B-07-009
| Protocol Name | National Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2009) | |
|---|---|---|
| Citation Information | USEPA. 2009. National Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual. EPA-841-B-07-009. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. 354 p. | |
| Title | National Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2009) | |
| Author | United States Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Water | |
| Publication Year | 2009 | |
| Abstract | This manual describes field protocols and daily operations for crews to use in the National Rivers and Streams Assessment (NRSA). The NRSA is a probability-based survey of our Nation’s rivers and streams and is designed to: - Assess the condition of the Nation’s rivers and streams - Establish a baseline to compare future rivers and streams surveys for trends assessments - Evaluate changes in condition from the 2004 Wadeable Streams Assessment - Help build State and Tribal capacity for monitoring and assessment and promote collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries This is one of a series of water assessments being conducted by states, tribes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other partners. In addition to rivers and streams, the water assessments will also focus on coastal waters, lakes, and wetlands in a revolving sequence. The purpose of these assessments is to generate statistically-valid reports on the condition of our Nation’s water resources and identify key stressors to these systems. The goal of the NRSA is to address two key questions about the quality of the Nation’s rivers and streams: - What percent of the Nation’s rivers and streams are in good, fair, and poor condition for key indicators of water quality, ecological health, and recreation? - What is the relative importance of key stressors such as nutrients and pathogens? The NRSA is designed to be completed during the index period of late May through the end of September. Field crews will collect a variety of measurements and samples from predetermined sampling locations (located with an assigned set of coordinates), and from randomized stations along the sampling reach. | |
| Table of Contents | 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Survey Design 1.1 Target Population and Sample Frame 1.1.2 Replacing Sites 1.2 Selection of NRSA Indicators 1.3 Description of NRSA Indicators 1.4 Supplemental Material to the Field Operations Manual 2.0 DAILY OPERATIONS SUMMARY 2.1 Sampling Scenario 2.2 Recording Data and Other Information 2.3 Safety and Health 3.0 BASE SITE ACTIVITIES 3.1 Predeparture Activities 3.1.1 Daily Itineraries 3.1.2 Instrument Checks and Calibration 3.1.3 Equipment and Supply Preparation 3.2 Post Sampling Activities 4.0 INITIAL SITE PROCEDURES 4.1 Site Verification Activities 4.2 Laying out the sampling reach 4.3 Modifying Sample Protocols for High or Low Flows 5.0 NON-WADEABLE RIVERS 5.1 Water Quality 5.2 Physical Habitat Characterization in Non-Wadeable Rivers and Streams 5.3 Periphyton 5.4 Benthic Macroinvertebrates 5.5 Fish 5.6 Fish Tissue 5.7 Fecal Indicator (Enterococci) 6.0 WADEABLE STREAMS 6.1 Water Quality 6.2 Physical Habitat Characterization—Wadeable Streams 6.3 Periphyton 6.4 Benthic Macroinvertebrates 6.5 Fish 6.6 Fecal Indicator (Enterococci) 7.0 FINAL SITE ACTIVITIES 7.1 General Site Assessment 7.2 Processing the Fecal Indicator, Chlorophyll a, and Periphyton Samples 7.3 Data Forms and Sample Inspection 7.4 Launch Site Cleanup 8.0 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL 8.1 Repeat and Duplicate Sampling 8.2 Field Evaluation and Assistance Visits 9.0 LITERATURE CITED APPENDIX A LIST OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES . A-1 APPENDIX B FIELD FORMS B-1 Boatable Forms Packet . B-3 Wadeable Forms Packet . B-33 APPENDIX C SHIPPING AND TRACKING GUIDELINES C-1 APPENDIX D COMMON & SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES D-1 APPENDIX E PPCP and PFC SAMPLES AT SELECTED URBAN SITES . E-1 | |
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