Biomonitoring Study of Shoal Creek, Illinois

June 2007 – April 2008

  • Collect and Analyze Biological Data

  • Fish, Macroinvertebrate, and Unionid Inventories

  • Water Quality and Sediment Testing

  • Reporting and Documentation

shoal creek mussels.jpg

A biomonitoring study was requested by Hanson Professional Services for Shoal Creek in Montgomery County, Illinois. Freshwater mussels (unionids), fish, macroinvertebrates, and habitat surveys, and water and sediment quality testing were performed at four locations within the Shoal Creek watershed. Data collected was used to establish the baseline conditions at two sites within Shoal Creek and one site each upstream on two tributaries.

shoal creek inverts.jpg

EcoAnalysts provided expertise to our client regarding stream ecology, unionid and fish biology, and macroinvertebrate taxonomy. Data analysis included species identification and community structure, and establishing the fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) at each site. Stream habitat evaluations following the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocol for wadeable streams were also performed at each site.

Water quality was an important component to the study. EcoAnalysts collected water and sediment samples to be analyzed by a laboratory for multiple parameters such as metals and pesticides. Long term water quality monitors were also installed to record parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, temperature, and turbidity.

EcoAnalysts was responsible for preparing technical documents in support of the Illinois Department of Environmental Protection and Illinois DNR guidance procedures. A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) was prepared in addition to reporting on methodologies, historical information and literature review, and results.

 
 
MissouriScott MackeyFreshwater Mussels