Watershed Assessment Branch SOPs

This is the entire document. It is a large PDF file and is broken into sections in the Contents below.

Contents

• Introduction
• Description: Chapter 1: Introduction to Watershed Assessment Branch sampling activities.

• Stream Assessment Procedures
• Description: Chapter 2: Instructions for assessing the stream site (including setting up the site, site documentation, and guidelines for completed the stream assessment forms).

• Water Quality Procedures
• Description: Chapter 3: Water Collection Protocols.

• Flow Measurements
• Description: Chapter 4: Stream flow measurement protocols.

• Benthic Macroinvertebrate Procedures
• Description: Chapter 5: benthic macroinvertebrate collection protocols.

• Fish Collection Procedures
• Description: Chapter 6: fish collection protocols.

• Periphyton/Algae Collection Procedures
• Description: Chapters 7: periphyton collection protocols. Chapter 8: filamentous algae monitoring. Chapter 9: golden algae collection protocols.

• Substrate Characterization Procedures
• Description: Chapter 10: relative bed stability/substrate characterization protocols (including gradient).

• Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Procedures
• Description: Chapter 11: ambient water quality network protocols.

• Lake Sampling Procedures
• Description: Chapter 12: lake sampling protocol.

• Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Samples
• Description: Chapter 13: continuous water quality monitoring procedures.

• Miscellaneous Sampling
• Description: Chapter 14: mischellaneous sampling (field blanks and duplicates).

• Field Equipment Checklist
• Description: Chapter 15: field equipment checklist.

• Quick Reference Guide
• Description: Chapter 16: quick reference guide.

• TMDL WQ Parameter Suites
• Description: Water quality parameter suites: take water quality sonde readings at every site.

• Aquatic Nuisance Species
• Description: Chapter 17: aquatic nuisance species (ANS) and disease control protocols.

Data Sheets

• Benthic Family ID
• Description: WV DEP WAB benthic macroinvertebrate lab sheet.

• Benthic ID
• Description: WV DEP WAB benthic macroinvertebrate lab sheet and supplemental chronomic form.

• Filamentous Algae
• Description: Filamentous algae monitoring form.

• Calibration Log Sheet
• Description: Full sonde calibration log sheet.

• Water Quality
• Description: General water quality sampling form.

• Wadeable Benthic
• Description: Wadeable benthic macroinvertebrates form.

• TMDL Habitat
• Description: Total maximum daily load final visit form.

• Flow
• Description: Flow measurements form.

• Bank Erodibility-Channel Profile
• Description: Bank erodibility factors form.

• Pebble Count
• Description: Relative bed stability (pebble count) form.

• Fish Survey
• Description: Fish collection form.

• Deployable Sonde
• Description: Deployable sonde form; stream verification.

• Golden Algae
• Description: Golden algae sampling form.

• Lake Benthos
• Description: Lake benthos sampling form.

• Lake Habitat
• Description: Lake habitat assessment form.

• Lake Water Quality
• Description: Lake water quality assessment form.

• Non-Wadeable Main
• Description: Non-wadeable main form.

• Non-Wadeable Transect
• Description: Non-wadeable transect channel characterization form.

• Benthic Labels - Inside
• Description: Benthic sample label for inside of jar.

• Benthic Labels - Outside
• Description: Benthic sample label for outside of jar.

• Periphyton Sample Label
• Description: WV DEP Watershed Assessment periphyton sample label.

Additional Links

• Watershed Assessment Branch (WAB) Activies
• Description: Assessment and reporting of our State's stream water quality is performed by the Watershed Assessment Branch of the DEP. Teams of biologists and environmental specialists measure water quality and habitat information on-site; collect waters samples for laboratory analysis; and collect benthic macroinvertebrate and fish from streams and lakes throughout the state.