Laserfiche WebLink
<br />CONCLUSIONS <br />Comparison of aquatic macrophyte growth distribution between <br />survey periods is inconclusive. The accuracy and detail of the <br />established mapping procedure allows a confident assessment of <br />alterations or impacts only if 758 or more of the aquatic <br />macrophytes have disappeared since the previous year's survey. <br />U <br /> <br />Benthic invertebrate species composition and diversity were <br />consistent with what is typical for intermittant and turbid, slow <br />water streams. The benthos population also appears to be <br />relatively comparable in composition and density between this <br />year and last year. However, the most notable observation to <br />be gained from reviewing four years of sampling data is the <br />indication that the benthos population abundance trends are <br />largely dictated by the seasonal streamflow conditions. One <br />can sample benthos during the same week in July or August year <br />after year. The results of these efforts are suspected to be <br />heavily weighted by the level of streamflow, and to a lesser <br />degree, water temperature, that was occurring at the time of <br />sampling. Year to year sampling consistency might be greatly <br />improved if streamflow and water temperature were monitored and <br />used to decide which week within the period of July to August <br />would be appropriate to conduct the yearly sampling effort. <br />Fish abundance within the study area creeks is suspected <br />to be celated primarily to habitat (undercut streambanks, pool <br />depth, overhanging brush) alterations. An unknown degree of <br />alteration will occur naturally, as a stream is a dynamic system. <br />However, cattle grazing along the stream channel can severely <br />reduce a stream's carrying capacity for fish by destruction of <br />streambanks and riparian vegetation (Platts, 1978, 1981; USDA <br />Forest Service, 1977). Because cattle grazing does occur along <br />many of the survey stations; the present system of fish monitoring <br />is only capable of reflecting coal mining-related degradation <br />if one finds an inexplicable absence of all fish from a stream <br />that previously supported fish. <br />sampling results with previous <br />area's coal mining activities <br />impact upon the aquatic biota <br />The final conclusion, based on a comparison of this year's <br />years results, is that the study <br />have had no discernable adverse <br />of the streams surveyed. <br />27 <br />