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Click here for 2016 Monitoring Events

Read the May 8, 2014 Chico News & Review article about The Stream Team's 11th year of monitoring here.

Tune into KZFR 90.1 radio on the second Thursday of each month (7:05-7:15 am) Five-Mile and Then Some.

2005 Monitoring: Aquatic Insect Surveys (Bioassessment)

Volunteers use the latest California Stream Bioassessent Procedures, and surveys are conducted each Spring and Fall. Insect larvae and other small invertebrates (worms and snails) live on the stream bottom and are a powerful way to integrate water chemistry and the effects of stream degradation. Aquatic insect larvae live in the creek for up to several years before metamorphosing into adults with wings, which mate and lay their eggs, and can tell us a lot about the condition of the water. Bioassessment procedures involve documenting habitat features (riparian canopy/shade, gradient, substrate type, and depths) at transects set at 15 meter intervals for a 150 meter reach of stream.

(Click on photos for larger image)


PV High students collecting aquatic insects.

PV High students collecting aquatic insects.

Taking a look at some of the insects.
 

Transect A looking upstream at Five-mile.

Transect D looking upstream at Five-mile.

Transect G looking upstream at Five-mile.
 

Transect I looking upstream at Five-mile.

Transect K looking downstream at Five-mile.

Transects are established at 15 meter intervals.
 

Insect samples are preserved in alcohol for later identification.

Bioassessment training.