Background:

•	Headwater streams represent the majority of our
nation's streams and stream miles.

•	Because headwater streams are located at the tips
of the stream network, they represent a significant
land-water interface to downstream rivers and lakes.

•	Headwater streams are prone to natural drying
each year, confounding our ability to use existing
assessment methods for the majority of stream miles
in the U.S.

Objective: Develop field protocols and identify
physical and biological indicators of hydrologic
permanence for forested headwater streams.
Funding: Regional Methods Program (2003-2005)

•	Research money specifically designated for
methodological needs of states, regions & tribes.

•	Sponsoring EPA Regions circled on national map.

Study Reaches

,		 Perennial

Intermittent
Ephemeral

Ephemeral Intermittent Perennial

w 70

2003

2004

Headwater Intermittent Streams Study:
Collaboration Across the Nation*

* Although this work
was reviewed by EPA
and approved for
publication, it may not
necessarily reflect
official Agency policy.

Ken Fritz1, Brent Johnson1, David Walters1, Joseph Flotemersch1, Margaret Passmore2, David McDonald3,
James Kurtenbach4, Edward Hammer5, Gretchen Hayslip6, Lillian Herger6
1ORD/NERL/EERD/ERB, 2Region 3, 3Region 1, 4Region 2,5Region 5, 6Region 10	»

Biological Indicators

Other Collaborators:

US Forest Service

The Nature Conservancy

University of Kentucky

KYDEP-DW

NYDEC

Physical Indicators

Study Design

3-4 locations per stream

¦	30 m reaches

Sampling Periods

¦	Spring (April-May)

¦	Late Summer (Aug-Sept)

Origin of perennial

"•""jSJ-'-O-..

¦—¦—ph	rm Physical indicators that reflect differences in

hydrologic permanence among sites in Indiana,
Kentucky, and Ohio during 2003 and 2004 flow
conditions. Abbreviations: Drainage area (DA),
entrenchment ratio (ER), proportion of erosional
habitat (PE), Ohio EPA's Headwater Habitat
. 11| x >'"	I Evaluation Index (HHEI), and North Carolina

Department of Water Quality's Stream
Expected Outcomes:	Classification Index (NCDWQ).

•	Provide states, regions, and tribes with scientifically-sound protocols for
assessing condition appropriately for the majority of streams and stream miles in

•	Protect and improve the health of headwater streams which will result in better	fe :
water quality in downstream water bodies. tr-

Origin of intermittent
flow

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