Reference Site Selection for Monitoring and Assessment of Intermittent Streams

Funding Source

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Project Duration

September 1, 2006 – December 31, 2009

Project Objectives

1) Define candidate intermittent stream reference sites within the NPG.

2) Conduct field sampling to characterize natural, intermittent reference stream physical, chemical, habitat and biological conditions.

3) Define optimal macroinvertebrate metrics for monitoring headwater intermittent prairie streams.

4) Define the appropriate index period for macroinvertebrate sampling within headwater intermittent prairie streams.

5) Validate selection of intermittent stream reference sites against a random sample of intermittent drainages within the NPG.

Linked Projects

AES Biotic Integrity Project

State Invertebrate Collections Project

Current Personnel

Nels H. Troelstrup, Jr. Phone: (605) 688-5503; Email: Nels.Troelstrup@sdstate.edu

Eric Rasmussen Phone: (605) 688-5114; Email: ejrasmussen@jacks.sdstate.edu

Ross Vander Vorste Phone: (605) 688-5114; Email: rwvandervorste@jacks.sdstate.edu

Thesis Title

Eric:

Effects of Riparian Metrics on Intermittent Stream Assessments within the Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion

Ross:

Seasonal Change of Macroinvertebrate Communities throughout the Hydroperiod of Intermittent Prairie Streams

Progress Reports

Quarterly Progress Report

First Annual Progress Report

Delivered Presentations

Rasmussen, E.J., R. Vander Vorste, and N.H. Troelstrup, Jr. 2007. Field validation of intermittent stream reference sites in Eastern South Dakota. Oak Lake Research Retreat.

Rasmussen, E.J., R.W. Vander Vorste, and N.H. Troelstrup Jr., 2008. Habitat characteristics of intermittent streams within South Dakota’s Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion. Presented at the South Dakota Academy of Science Annual Conference, Chamberlain, SD.

Rasmussen, E.J., R.W. Vander Vorste, and N.H. Troelstrup, Jr., 2008. Problems associated with stream monitoring protocols for intermittent, headwater streams. Presented at the East Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, SD.

Troelstrup, N.H., Jr., S. Brich, E. Rasmussen, R. Vander Vorste, P. Lorenzen. 2007. Delineation of stream reference sites using ATtILA for the Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion of South Dakota. Presented at the East Dakota Water Conference, Sioux Falls.

Troelstrup, N.H., Jr., E.J. Rasmussen, R.W. Vander Vorste, S. Brich. 2008. USING Attila to assess headwater catchments within the Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion of eastern South Dakota. Bulletin of the North American Benthological Society 25(1): 187 (abstract, poster).

Vander Vorste, R.W., E.J. Rasmussen, and N.H. Troelstrup Jr., 2008. Family-level community structure of insects inhabiting intermittent streams within the Northern Glaciated Plains. Presented at the South Dakota Academy of Science Annual Conference, Chamberlain, SD.

Vander Vorste, R. 2008. Hydrologic connectivity of intermittent headwaters with downstream reaches. Presented at the East Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, SD.

Publications

Rasmussen, E.J., R.W. Vander Vorste, and N.H. Troelstrup Jr., 2008. Habitat characteristics of intermittent streams within South Dakota’s Northern Glaciated Plains Ecoregion. …In Press.

Vander Vorste, R., and D. German. 2006. Development of an optimal macroinvertebrate bioassessment index for prairie lakes in northeastern South Dakota. South Dakota Academy of Science 86: 259.

Vander Vorste, R.W., E.J. Rasmussen, and N.H. Troelstrup Jr., 2008. Family-level community structure of insects inhabiting intermittent streams within the Northern Glaciated Plains. South Dakota Academy of Science….In Press.