Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling 2022 Tumalo Creek Upper Deschutes River Basin

Описание: In the Deschutes River Basin, ODFW is using benthic macroinvertebrate (organisms that live on the bottom of streams and rivers) sampling to establish a baseline to examine ecological changes from new flow management. The Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (DBHCP) outlines changes to the management of Crane Prairie and Wickiup reservoirs and flow regime of the Deschutes River from Wickiup Reservoir downstream to Lake Billy Chinook.

Benthic macroinvertebrates are excellent indicators because they are easy to collect, live in water for all or most of their life, can be identified in a laboratory setting, differ in their tolerances to abiotic factors in the environment, often live for more than one season, and are limited in their ability to move.

Macroinvertebrates are also utilized by fish species for food and can tell us about the quality of fish forage in rivers. Macroinvertebrates can be used to determine the problems and limitations of watersheds including issues with thermal ranges, pollution, and habitat alteration.

Samples will be analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Reporting will include an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), which are used to assess ecological condition. Macroinvertebrate sampling will be repeated to establish a baseline condition and then again when flows have increased to levels specified by the DBHCP.