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| Publication - Scientific Investigations Report |
1U.S. Geological Survey
2South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
AbstractThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) initiated data-collection activities for the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program-West (EMAP-West) in South Dakota during 2000. The objectives of the study were to develop the monitoring tools necessary to produce unbiased estimates of the ecological condition of surface waters across a large geographic area of the western United States, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of those tools in a large-scale assessment. In 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P) established a cooperative agreement and assumed responsibility for completing the remaining assessments for the perennial, wadable streams of the EMAP-West in the State. Stream assessment sites were divided into two broad categories—the first category of sites was randomly selected and assigned by the USEPA for South Dakota. The second category consisted of sites that were specifically selected because they appeared to have reasonable potential for representing the best available physical, chemical, and biological conditions in the State. These sites comprise the second category of assessment sites and were called “reference” sites and were selected following a detailed evaluation process. Candidate reference site data will serve as a standard or benchmark for assessing the overall ecological condition of the randomly selected sites. During 2000, the USEPA completed 22 statewide stream assessments in South Dakota. During 2001–2003, the USGS and GF&P completed another 42 stream assessments bringing the total of randomly selected stream assessments within South Dakota to 64. In addition, 18 repeat assessments designed to meet established quality-assurance/quality-control requirements were completed at 12 of these 64 sites. During 2002–2004, the USGS in cooperation with GF&P completed stream assessments at 45 candidate reference sites. Thus, 109 sites had stream assessments completed in South Dakota for EMAP-West (2000–2004). Relatively early in the EMAP-West stream-assessment process, it became apparent that for some streams in south-central South Dakota, in-stream conditions varied considerably over relatively short distances of only a few miles. These changes appeared to be a result of geomorphic changes associated with changes in the underlying geology. For these streams, moving stream assessment sites short distances upstream or downstream had the potential to provide substantially different bioassessment data. In order to obtain a better understanding of how geology influences stream conditions, two streams located in south-central South Dakota were chosen for multiple stream sampling at sites located along their longitudinal profile at points where notable changes in geomorphology were observed. Subsequently, three sites on Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek and three sites on Black Pipe Creek were selected for multiple stream sampling using EMAP-West protocols so that more could be learned about geologic influences on stream conditions. Values for dissolved oxygen and specific conductance generally increased from upstream to downstream locations on Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek. Values for pH and water temperature generally decreased from upstream to downstream locations. Decreasing water temperature could be indicative of ground-water inflows. Values for dissolved oxygen, pH, and water temperature generally increased from upstream to downstream locations on Black Pipe Creek. The increase in temperature at the lower sites is a result of less dense riparian cover, and the warmer water also could account for the lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen found in the lower reaches of Black Pipe Creek. Values for specific conductance were more than three times greater at the lower site (1,342 microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm)) than at the upper site (434 µS/cm). The increase probably occurs when the stream transitions from contacting the underlying Arikaree Formation to contacting the underlying Pierre Shale. |
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Vertebrate richness was found to be slightly higher for Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek than for Black Pipe Creek. On average, reaches on Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek had a deeper thalweg and wider wetted stream width than Black Pipe Creek. This resulted in a larger habitat volume of aquatic vertebrates in Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek than in Black Pipe Creek and probably is the reason for the slightly higher vertebrate richness found in Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek.
Average substrate size decreased in a downstream direction for Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek. In-stream fish cover also transitioned from woody debris to macrophytes in a downstream direction for Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek, whereas the predominate riparian cover transitioned from trees to barren dirt in the lower reaches. The stream channel for Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek largely consisted of riffles in the upper stream reaches and transitioned into glide or glide/riffle combinations in the lower reaches. Rapid habitat assessments metrics generally were scored as good except for sediment deposition and riffle frequency.
Average substrate size increased from silt to fine gravel in a downstream direction for Black Pipe Creek. In-stream fish cover was composed of overhanging vegetation and algae in the upper reaches and transitioned to macrophytes in the lower reaches. However, fish cover was sparse throughout all reaches. Riparian cover largely consisted of grasses and woody shrubs in the upper reaches of Black Pipe Creek and transitioned to grasses and bare dirt in the lower reaches. The stream channel was largely a glide in the upper reaches and transitioned to a glide/riffle in the middle reaches and to a series of interconnected pools in the lower reach. No rapid habitat assessments were completed for the upper reach, but the lower reaches were categorized as poor for most in-stream and near-stream conditions.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Acknowledgments
Overview of the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
EMAP Implementation in South Dakota
Randomly Selected Sites
Candidate Reference Sites
Availability of Data Sets
Methods and Activities
Methods for Characterization of Physical Stream Attributes
Reach Layout
Channel Dimensions and Bank Characteristics
Thalweg Measurements
Substrate Size and Type
Riparian Vegetation Cover and Structure
Streamflow
Stream Gradient
Methods for Collecting Vertebrate Data
Seining
Electrofishing
Methods for Collecting Invertebrate Data
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Periphyton
Methods for Assessing Water Quality
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Field Measurements
Chemical Analysis
Methods for Characterizing Geologic Influences on Stream Condition
Geologic Influences on Stream Condition
Basin Characteristics and Streamflow
Water Quality
Vertebrate Richness
Physical Habitat
Vertebrate /Physical Habitat Associations
Summary
References
Supplemental Information
1–3. Maps showing:
1. Location of South Dakota EMAP randomly selected wadeable stream sites visited during 2000–2003.
2. Location of South Dakota EMAP candidate reference sites visited during 2002–2004.
3. Generalized geologic map showing surfical geology of a part of the White River Basin and location of multiple assessment sites in the study area.
4. Photograph showing field data were recorded on standardized field data sheets during field activities.
5. Diagram showing depiction of a stream reach layout.
6–13. Photographs showing:
6. Field crew members laying out a transect.
7. Field crew members measured the wetted stream width to determine channel dimensions throughout the designated stream assessment reach.
8. A field crew member making a stream discharge measurement at the “X-site.”
9. Field crew biologists documented abnormalities visible on vertebrate specimens.
10. Vertebrate specimens, such as this Shorthead Redhorse, were measured following the collection and identification process.
11. Field crew members identified vertebrate species while electrofishing.
12. Field crew members processing benthic macro-invertebrates.
13. Crew members calibrated water-quality instruments prior to collecting field measurements.
14–15. Graphs showing:
14. Variations in annual, monthly, and daily mean streamflow for station 06446700, Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek near Wanblee, SD, water years 1995–2003.
15. Variations in annual, monthly, and daily mean streamflow for station 06447230, Black Pipe Creek near Belvidere, SD, water years 1993–2003.
16–18. Photographs showing:
16. Examples of fish caught, identified, and measured at Bear-in-the-Lodge or Black Pipe Creeks include (A) channel catfish and (B) river carp sucker.
17. Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek, assessment sites: (A) upper site (site 1), (B) middle site (site 3), and (C) lower site (site 4).
18. Upper Black Pipe Creek, assessment sites: (A) upper site (site 5), (B) middle site (site 6), and (C) lower site (site 8).
1. Stream assessment site information for South Dakota EMAP sites visited during 2000–2004.
2. Information for sites used to characterize geologic influences.
3. General guidelines for consideration in selection of candidate reference sites.
4. Data reporting criteria for water chemistry analyses.
5. Analytical methodologies for water chemistry.
6. Water-quality data for sites on Bear-in-the-Lodge and Black Pipe Creeks.
7. Vertebrate information for Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek.
8. Vertebrate information for Black Pipe Creek.
9. Physical habitat data for sites on Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek.
10. Physical habitat data for sites on Black Pipe Creek.
11. Rapid habitat assessment ratings for sites on Bear-in-the-Lodge and Black Pipe Creeks.
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For more information about USGS activities in South Dakota, visit the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center home page.
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