The SMC Streamftp.sccwrp.org/.../CTAGMeetings/15_0226/Bioassessment_Mazor_S… · The SMC was...
Transcript of The SMC Streamftp.sccwrp.org/.../CTAGMeetings/15_0226/Bioassessment_Mazor_S… · The SMC was...
The SMC Stream Survey
What we’ve learned and where we’re going
Why collaborative monitoring?The SMC was created in 2001, and began its stream survey in 2009 as a collaborative program of leading stormwater and regulatory agencies
Coordinate efforts to leverage resources and knowledge
Answer regional questions and provide context for site‐specific management issues
Create platform for more in‐depth studies
SMC participants and member agenciesVentura County Watershed Protection District
Los Angeles County Flood Control District
Orange County Public Works
San Bernardino County Flood Control District
Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
San Diego County Public Works
Council for Watershed Health
Los Angeles Regional WQ Control Board
Santa Ana Regional WQ Control Board
San Diego Regional WQ Control Board
State Water Resources Control Board
SWAMP/Perennial Stream Assessment
Department of Fish and Wildlife
SCCWRP
Stream survey began in 2009Key questions:1. What is the condition of perennial, wadeable streams in
Southern California?2. What stressors are associated with poor condition?3. Are conditions changing over time?
Achievements of the first 5‐year survey~550 sites have been sampled (perhaps the most intensive probabilistic stream survey in the country)
Enhanced communication among participating agencies
Improved technical capacity
Data is used to guide statewide policy (e.g., bio‐objectives, NNEs, wetlands protection), tool development (e.g., CSCI, algae IBIs)
About 25% of perennial stream‐miles are healthy
Healthy streams are more extensive in some areas than in others
Next survey: Expand to nonperennial streams
21% were sampled18% were rejected for other reasons (e.g., access)
2% were not sampled
59% were nonperennial!
Next survey: Expand to nonperennial streams
Index Score
Stress
Low Moderate High
Focus on modified channels
Habitat constraints andWater quality impacts
Bugs Algae
Explore alternativeobjectives
Goo
d cond
ition
Poor con
ditio
n
Goo
d cond
ition
Poor con
ditio
n
• Nutrients• Major ions• Degraded habit
Top stressors associated with poor condition
Metals, toxicity, pyrethroids were limited, or weakly associated with biological condition.
Next survey: Modify constituents
Continue core constituents
BugsAlgaeCRAMPHABNutrientsMajor ions (Cl, SO4)TDS/TSS
Drop low‐priority stressors
Metals (water)Toxicity (water)Pyrethroids (water)
Add new analytes of interest
Hydromodification screeningChannel engineering assessmentVertebratesHydrologic regimesBioanalytic screensCECs
No obvious trends over time
However, different sites sampled each year.Can’t see changes at individual sites!
Next survey: Revisit sitesRevisit ~30% of our probabilistic sites every yearClassify sites as improving/degrading/stableExtrapolate to the region as a wholeAssociate stressors, conditions with changes in condition
Sharing our resultsFinal report under review by the SMC Executive committee (soon on SCCWRP website)4‐page fact sheet in developmentSome data available through CEDEN (data sharing process in development)
New partners for new cycle
Agricultural dischargers
Watershed monitoring groups
National parks and forests
Thank you!