Purpose
 Report on the
 condition of
 wadeable streams
 of the US by
 December 2005.
 Help build State
 capacity for
 monitoring and
 assessment.
 •
 Promote
 collaboration across
 jurisdictional
 boundaries in the
 assessment of water
 quality.
                                                                     ble
      EPA-841-F-04-002

   For more information visit:
www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring
         or contact:
  Susan Holdsworth, USEPA
       202-566-1187
  holdsworth.susan@epa.gov
The Wadeable Streams Assessment
  •  Ecological assessment of streams throughout the US based on physical, biological
     and chemical features
  •  Statistically-valid survey design stratified to allow estimates of the condition of
     streams throughout each level II ecoregion and across the U.S.
  •  Collaboration among EPA (OW, ORD, Regions), USGS, States, Tribal Nations
     and other partners
Key components
  •  Probability-based design for sampling site selection
  •  Standardized field sampling and lab processing protocols
     D benthic macroinvertebrate collections
     D physical habitat measurements
     D water samples for selected chemical parameters
  •  Comprehensive quality assurance program, including documented protocols and
     quality control procedures, training, and audits
  •  Standardized data management system that transfers data to STORET
     warehouse
  •  Analysis plan for ecological assessment
Implementation Update April 2005
  •  Awarded $7M in grants to states and interstate consortia for sampling in 2004
  •  Trained all crews from 34 states, USGS, and US FWS on field sampling protocols
  •  Collected 748 samples at sites across the central and eastern U.S. to supplement
     samples collected at 1005 sites in the western U.S.
  •  Evaluated all field crews and laboratories to ensure data integrity
  •  Processed  100% of the chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate samples
  •  Entered 100% of physical habitat and field site information into database
  •  Formed technical workgroup of States, USGS, EPA, and academics to refine data
     analysis options
  •  Conducted national meeting with States and other partners on assessment
     process
  •  Conducting methods comparability studies with 20 states and USGS
  •  Implementing other enhancements to support state-scale assessments, additional
     indicators (e.g., fish community), and refinements to water quality standards

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