How do the hydrologic, geomorphic, chemical, and biological characteristics of stream ecosystems respond to land-use changes associated with urbanization, and how do these responses vary across environmental settings?
The national USGS EUSE (Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems) study began in 2002. Ten study areas from across the US, each with approximately thirty basins representing a land-use gradient from undeveloped to fully developed, were sampled for water quality, fish, aquatic macroinvertibrate populations, and habitat in 2003-2005.
The study objectives included:
Water-quality is a combination of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that are influenced by nature and by man. Biological communities reflect these influences.Landscape and stream characteristics reflect human influences. Urbanization, for example, can vary dramatically as socioeconomic factors - income, age of housing - change among neighborhoods. Study of the effects of urbanization on water quality must control for the effects of natural factors, while allowing the degree of urbanization to vary between study basins. Each study was limited to a single ecoregion to control variability in natural factors.
The data collected at streams in the study included nutrients, pesticides, and ions in stream water, geomorphic and habitat characteristics, hydrologic stage, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, benthic algae and invertebrate communities, and fish communities.
This study successfully demonstrated the strong link between urban intensity and physical, chemical, and biological indicators of water-quality. Multivariate analysis and Bayesian ecological modeling were used to describe the effects of urbanization on biological condition.
Videos reporting activities of the National Water-Quality Assessment study(NAWQA), and films produced by the North Carolina Water-Science Center are shown here:
The Off-Continent Flux Project
Art Horowitz (USGS) describes a U.S. Geological Survey study to estimate amounts of chemicals washed to the oceans from the continental United States.
Tom Cuffney and Song Qian describe their U.S. Geological Survey research on the effects of urbanization on stream ecology, while fly fishing.
The Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems
Development can have negative effects on streams in urban and suburban areas. As a watershed becomes covered with pavement, sidewalks, and other types of urban land cover, stream organisms are confronted with an increased volume of storm water runoff, increased exposure to fertilizers and pesticides, and dramatic changes in physical living spaces within the stream itself.
USGS Corecast: Overview of the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems
In this Corecast episode, USGS scientist Jerry McMahon provides an overview of the effects of urban development on stream ecosystems and describes two take home messages for managers: there is no "safe zone" of urban development for stream organisms, and management efforts need to account for strong regional differences in stream ecosystems across the country.
Expanded video podcast on the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems: Part I
In this podcast USGS scientist Jerry McMahon describes features of the urban environment that influence stream ecosystems.
Expanded video podcast on the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems: Part II
In this podcast USGS scientist Jerry McMahon describes the objectives and design of a national USGS study of the effects of urban development on stream ecosystems.
Expanded video podcast on the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems: Part III
In this podcast USGS scientist Jerry McMahon describes the major findings from a national USGS study of the effects of urban development on stream ecosystems.
Stormwater, impervious surface, and stream health. (September 2010)
Urban development is associated with an increase in impervious surfaces, that is, surfaces such as rooftops, sidewalks, and streets that prevent precipitation from infiltrating into the groundwater. Impervious surfaces increase the volume and energy of stormwater that reaches streams and can lead to adverse physical and water quality impacts, including erosion and increased nutrient runoff. In this video USGS scientist Tom Cuffney and Tom Schueler, director of the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, discuss the effects of impervious surfaces on stream health.
An important component of the national USGS EUSE (Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems) study was to assess effects of urbanization on stream habitat.
Connecting People and Urban Streams Urban Streams CORECAST version (5-minutes)- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS) outlines the importance of habitat to the health of streams, and shows examples of urban stream- restoration efforts from across the USA.
Habitat Connections in Urban Streams- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS) outlines the importance of habitat to the health of streams, and shows examples of urban stream- restoration efforts from across the USA. (20 minutes).
Examples of stream restoration and revitalization projects from three areas in the US; Baltimore Maryland; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon are shown in the following videos:
Examples of stream restoration and revitalization projects in the Baltimore, Maryland area:
Patapsco River dam removal site, Maryland Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Serena McClain (American Rivers, Director, River Restoration) – history of site; Allen Gellis (USGS MD WSC) – sediment transport from dam removals; Matt Collins (NOAA) – dam removal program; Graham Boardman (McCormick Taylor) – geomorphic monitoring associated with dam removal.
The U.S. Geological Survey is monitoring sediment transport at the Patapsco River dam removal site in Maryland. Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS),William Banks (USGS Maryland Water Science Center) and Michael Meyers (USGS Maryland Water Science Center) discuss the sampling techniques and gear used to monitor sediment transport in the river..
Carriage Hills, Maryland- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Keith Underwood (Underwood and Assoc.), Erik Michelsen (South River Federation), Joe Berg (BioHabitats, Inc.) a sand seepage system retrofitted to an older development.
Carriage Hills, Maryland- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), and Joe Berg (BioHabitats, Inc.) bubble up inlet structure with large box culvert storage beneath, cuts erosive force of piped stormwater.
Jabaz Branch, Severn, Maryland- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Keith Underwood (Underwood and Assoc.), and Joe Berg (BioHabitats, Inc.) sand seepage berms and swales used in new “green” residential development.
Severn River Tributary, Ann Arundel County, Maryland- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Hala Flores (Anne Arundel County, Department of Public Works), Ronald Bowen (Anne Arundel County, Department of Public Works), Keith Underwood (Underwood and Assoc.), Ann Arundel County’s new county office complex a long series of sand seepage berms constructed instead of a traditional stormwater pond.
Howards Branch, Baltimore, Maryland- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Ronald Bowen (Anne Arundel County, Department of Public Works), Kevin Smith(MD DNR), and Keith Underwood (Underwood and Assoc.), discuuss habitat diversity created in a wetland complex at an old millpond setting along a highly urban section of Howards Branch, the Atlantic White Cedar wetland, how this project happened, improvements in habitat, and floodplain reconnection.
Howards Branch, Baltimore, Maryland, Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Joe Berg (BioHabitats, Inc.) describing the base-flow channel in a wetland complex at an old millpond setting along a highly urban section of Howards Branch.
Examples of stream restoration and revitalization projects in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area:
Kinnickinnick River, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Dave Fowler (MMSD), and Pat Elliot (MMSD)- at cement-lined channel that is in the process of being removed.
Kinnickinnick River, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), and Dave Fowler (MMSD)-how the CSO/deep tunnel allows enough flood storage to be able to take out the cement-lined channel.
Underwood Creek, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Tom Slawski (SEWRPC) and Dave Fowler (MMSD)- Rehabilitated reach with extended floodplain and instream habitat.
Underwood Creek, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS) and Tom Slawski (SEWRPC) why streamgaging is important to rehabilitation projects.
Milwaukee River at Thiensville, Wisconsin Fish Passage Project - Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Matt Aho (Ozaukee County), Tom Slawski (SEWRPC), and Will Wawrzyn (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) discuss fish passage.
Milwaukee River at Thiensville, Wisconsin Fish Passage Project - Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Matt Aho (Ozaukee County), Tom Slawski (SEWRPC), discuss the fish passage project.
Villa Mann Creek, Wisconsin freeway reconstruction project - Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Bill Mohr (WI DOT) and Karla Leithoff (WI DOT) on floodplain, wetland, and channel restoration.
Villa Mann Creek, Wisconsin freeway reconstruction project- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Paul Burg (Buveck Consultants), and Steve Maierle (Milwaukee Transportation Partners) talk about floodplain reconnections.
Villa Mann Creek, Wisconsin freeway reconstruction project- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Tom Slawski (SEWRPC), on design challenges of the project.
Villa Mann Creek, Wisconsin freeway reconstruction project- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), and Karla Leithoff (WI DOT) on vegetation planting.
County G I-94 Interchange, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Larry Pfeil (WIDOT)–overall design to enhance an existing stream with roadway alignment, buffers, easements.
County G I-94 Interchange, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Shelley Warwick (Wisconsin DNR), and Karla Leithoff (WI DOT) – coordination among WI DOT and WI DNR, connections between wetland scientists and engineers.
County G I-94 Interchange, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), and Tom Slawski (SEWRPC), Road crossings as fish barriers.
County G I-94 Interchange, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), and Tom Slawski (SEWRPC), intermittent riffle/pool – pools sustain diverse aquatic life.
Rosenow Creek, Wisconsin- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), and Tom Slawski (SEWRPC) on rehabilitation activities geared toward protection in previously agricultural settings – design for stormwater runoff from roadway and improve brook trout habitat.
A talk with the Riverkeeper- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS) talks with Cheryl Nenn-- the Milwaukee River Riverkeeper.
Menomonee River Action team- Faith Fitzpatrick (U.S. Geological Survey) and Theresa Caven (City of Brookfield) talk about the Menomonee River Action team.
Menomonee River Action team- Faith Fitzpatrick (U.S. Geological Survey) and Gail Epping Overholt (University of Wisconsin-Extension Basin Educator) talk about bringing people together to improve the Menomonee River, Wisconsin watershed.
Menomonee River Action team- Faith Fitzpatrick (U.S. Geological Survey) and Paul Lohmiller (GRAEF-USA, Inc.) talk about the Menomonee River Action team.
Menomonee River Action team- in Wisconsin meeting to discuss improving conditions of the Menomonee River Basin. Cheryl Nenn (Milwaukee River Keeper) and Jeff Martinka (Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust) discuss what people can do..
Examples of stream restoration and revitalization projects in the Portland, Oregon area:
Johnson Creek Schweitzer Natural Area, Portland, Oregon- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Gardner Johnston (Interfluve, Inc.), and Janine Castro (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) along section of Works Progress Administration rock-lined channel.This project was funded and built by the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
Johnson Creek Schweitzer Natural Area, Portland, Oregon- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Gardner Johnston (Interfluve, Inc.), and Janine Castro (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) along rehabilitated Johnson Creek showing large wood used to improve habitat. This project was funded and built by the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
Kelley Creek, Portland Oregon- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Gardner Johnston (Interfluve, Inc.), and Janine Castro (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Kelley Creek was rehabilitated 5-6 years ago and the channel has had a chance to mature. This project was funded and built by the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
Tryon Confluence, Portland, Oregon- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Kristen Acock (Portland BES), Jennifer Devlin (Portland BES), Tim Whitesel (US Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia River Fisheries Program Office), Matt Brennan (Herrera Environmental)- a new project at the confluence of Tryon Creek with the much larger Willamette River which added habitat for salmon species.
Tryon Creek, Portland, Oregon- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS), Kristen Acock (Portland BES), Jennifer Devlin (Portland BES), Tim Whitesel (US Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia River Fisheries Program Office), Matt Brennan (Herrera Environmental)- a new project at the confluence of Tryon Creek with the much larger Willamette River which added habitat for salmon species. The banks of Tryon Creek were laid back to add more floodplain storage. The project was successful because of good communication and connections between City of Portland Staff and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.