EPA-841-B-12-009

Protocol NameNational Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2013)
Citation InformationUSEPA. 2013. National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2013-2014: Field Operations Manual – Wadeable. EPA-841-B-12-007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Washington, DC.
TitleNational Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2013)
AuthorUnited States Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Water
Publication Year2013
AbstractThis manual describes field protocols and daily operations for crews to use in the National Rivers and Streams Assessment (NRSA) 2013/14. 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;
  • Evaluate changes in condition from the 2008/09 NRSA; and
  • 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.
Table of Contents1. Background

2. Introduction to wadeable sampling

3. Initial Site Procedures

4. Water Chemistry / Chlorophyll-A Collection and Preservation

5. Microcystins

6. Benthic Macroinvertebrates

7. Periphyton

8. Physical Habitat Characterization

9. Fecal Indicator (Enterococci)

10. Fish Assemblage

11. Fish Tissue Plug Sampling Methods

12. Whole Fish Sampling Method

13. Final Site Activities

14. Field Quality Control

15. References
Methods in Protocol
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