What Lives in or Near Our Water?

Fish

Catfish

Shiners and chubs

Bluegill

Amphibians

Leopard Frog

Tadpoles

Bull Frog

Amphibians

Salamanders – Larvae have gills, legs

Mudpuppy – retains gills throughout life

Red-eared slider

Adult Snapper

Reptiles

Reptiles

Queen Snake – common in our area - non-venomous

Northern Water Snake – aggressive but non-venomous

Birds

Eastern Kingfisher

Green HeronRed-winged

Blackbird

Mammals

RaccoonMink

Beaver Muskrat

None of the previous animals are used to indicate the quality of water in an area – they are nice to find, but are often the first to go if the water is not good.

Indicators of Water Quality

Macroinvertebrates – without backbones, large enough to be seen

Many of the macroinvertebrates are insect larvae that spend part of their life cycle as aquatic organism.

The macroinvertebrates are divided into groups based on their tolerance of poor water conditions.Group I – indicators of good water quality. These have low tolerance of pollutants.

Group II – indicators of fair water quality. These have moderate tolerance of pollutants.

Group III – indicators of poor water quality. These have high tolerance of pollutants and low oxygen levels.

Cranefly larva

Damselfly nymph

Dragonfly nymph

Mayfly nymph

Stonefly nymph

Amphipod (scud) Isopod (sow-bug)

Aquatic worms Flatworm (planaria)

Hellgrammite larva

Gilled snail Leech

Caddisfly larva

Water penny larva Beetle larva

Macroinvertebrate TallyGroup I Taxa Tally Group II Taxa Tally Group III Taxa TallyWater penny Larvae Damselfly Nymphs Blackfly LarvaeMayfly Nymphs Dragonflyl Nymphs Aquatic Worms (Planaria)Stonefly Nymphs Cranefly Larvae Midge LarvaeDobsonfly Larvae Beetle Larvae Left-hand SnailsCaddisfly Larvae Crayfish LeechesRight-hand Snails Scuds (sidswimmers)Riffle Beetle Adults Clams/Mussels

Sowbugs (isopods)Alderfly Larvae

Number taxa present: Number taxa present: Number taxa present:Times Index value of (3): Times Index value of (2): Times Index value of (1):Total Index Value: Other organisms seen:

Biological Quality Assessment ScalePoor (0=11) Good (17 - 22)

0 10 20 30

Fair (12-16) Excellent (23+)

Macroinvertebrate TallyGroup I Taxa Tally Group II Taxa Tally Group III Taxa TallyWater penny Larvae Damselfly Nymphs Blackfly LarvaeMayfly Nymphs Dragonflyl Nymphs Aquatic Worms (Planaria)Stonefly Nymphs Cranefly Larvae Midge LarvaeDobsonfly Larvae Beetle Larvae Left-hand SnailsCaddisfly Larvae Crayfish LeechesRight-hand Snails Scuds (sidswimmers)Riffle Beetle Adults Clams/Mussels

Sowbugs (isopods)Alderfly Larvae

Number taxa present: Number taxa present: Number taxa present:Times Index value of (3): Times Index value of (2): Times Index value of (1):Total Index Value: Other organisms seen:

Biological Quality Assessment ScalePoor (0=11) Good (17 - 22)

0 10 20 30

Fair (12-16) Excellent (23+)

3 3 29 6 2

17Good