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272 <br />contain water of uniform quality and low in mineral content (60 p/m total dis- <br />solved solids) because of the granitic bedrock, therefore eliminating these <br />conditions as a bias when comparing aquatic habitats. <br />AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT EVALUATIONS <br />The streamside and aquatic environment documentations used the general <br />methods outlined by Herrington and Dunham (1967) with some modifications. The <br />modifications were made to increase sample sizes in small drainages and to <br />quantify additional physical conditions as described later. <br />The aquatic methods satisfactorily quantified most of the variables, as <br />water depths rarely exceeded 48 inches and water velocities were never exces- <br />sive for in-stream work. The clear water with low flows (July-November) <br />offered excellent conditions for observation and measurement. The studies were <br />conducted from 1970 through 1972. <br />Stations <br />The environmental condition of the 38 major tributaries within the study <br />area, totaling 135 stream miles, was documented by using an average of one <br />transect for every 93 yards of stream. Stations were located randomly along <br />all study streams from mouth to headwaters (where the stream became ephemeral). <br />Each stream contained a minimum of six stations regardless of stream length. <br />Each stream area (station) to be physically analyzed was selected randomly, <br />marked on an aerial photograph (1-15,000), and then located and marked on the <br />ground. The first transect of the five grouped transects (at 50-foot inter- <br />vals) making up each station was located 100 feet upstream from the photographic <br />location to avoid any bias resulting from the tendency of field personnel to <br />establish the actual point where access may be easiest. <br />Transects <br />A transect (channel cross section) is defined as an imaginary line run- <br />ning perpendicular to the centerline of the stream. The following measurements <br />and conditional factors were recorded: <br />1. Stream, pool, and riffle widths. <br />2. Four stream depths at equal intervals across the stream. <br />3. Ratings, locations, and features of pools. <br />4. Stream channel surface material classifications. <br />5.. Cover, conditions, and types of streambanks. <br />6. Channel elevations and gradients.