STREAM SITE GENERAL ASSESSMENT DATA SHEET
STREAM NAME:
DATE:
TIME:
STREAM GRADIENT (HIGH OR LOW):
SITE DESCRIPTION:
TOWN:
LATITUDE:
LONGITUDE:
RIVER BASIN:
INVESTIGATORS:
Stream sketch: On your sketch, note features that affect stream habitat, such as: riffles, runs, pools,
ditches, wetlands, dams, riprap, outfalls, tributaries, landscape features, logging paths, vegetation and
roads.
Watershed features
(requires the use of
maps and census
data)
Location of stream headwaters (use a map):
Total Stream Length (use a map):
Drainage area (use a map):
Population in watershed (estimate):
Predominant Surrounding Landscape: (circle one)
Forest Field/Pasture Agricultural Commercial
Local Watershed non-point pollution:
No evidence Some potential sources
Please explain:
Stream Reach
Characteristics
(map need map)
Residential
Industrial Other
Obvious sources
Bank full width:
Reach length:
Channelized? ____ Upstream Dam: if Yes, ____ km upstream from site
Other modifications:
Bridge: Within Reach: Yes or No
Upstream: Yes or No if yes, how far? ___ m
Culvert: Within Reach: Yes or No
Upstream: Yes or No if yes, how far? ___m
Pipes: Within Reach: Yes or No
Upstream: Yes or No if yes, how far? ___m
Distance of site from tributary mouth/main river channel: _______ km
Riparian vegetation
(within 18 meters)
Large woody debris
Aquatic vegetation
Width of vegetated riparian zone (looking downstream): Left bank____ Right
bank____(estimated or measured?)
Indicate the dominant type and record the dominant species present (if possible):
Trees Shrubs Grasses Herbaceous None
Dominant species (if known):
Abundance of LWD (# logs  10 cm diameter in stream reach):
Length of reach measured:
Indicate the dominant type and record the dominant species present:
Rooted emergent rooted submergent floating algae attached algae
rooted floating free floating
Portion of the reach with aquatic vegetation: _____ %
Sediment substrate
Odors: Normal
Oils: Absent
Water Quality in
Channel
Sewage
Slight
Petroleum
Moderate
Chemical
Sulfur
None Other:
Profuse
Circle all that apply:
Debris Obvious Pollution: Sludge, Sawdust, Paper Fiber, Sand, Silt, Sewage, Oily Sheen,
Trash, Iron, Scum, None
Water Clarity: Clear, Slightly Turbid, Moderately Turbid, Very Turbid
Water Color: Clear, Green, Milky, Brown, Tannic (L M H), Gray, Metallic, Reddish
Odors: None, Musty, Fishy, Sewage, Manure, Sulfur(eggs), Oily/gas
Local Land Use (within about ¼ mile of site; adjacent and upstream)
Check “1” if present, “2” if clearly having an impact on a stream.
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
Residential
Single-family housing
Multi-family housing
Lawns
Commercial/Institutional
0 1 2
0 0
0 0
Roads, etc.
Paved roads or bridges
Unpaved roads
0
0
0
0
1 2
0
0
0
Construction underway on:
Housing development
Commercial development
Road bridge construction/repair
0
0
0
0
0
1 2
0
0
0
0
Agricultural
Grazing Land
Feeding lots or animal holding areas
Cropland
Inactive agricultural land/fields
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 2
0
0
0
0
0
Recreation
Power boating
Golfing
Camping
Swimming/fishing/canoeing
Hiking/paths
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
Mining or gravel pits
Logging
Industry
Oil and gas drilling
Trash dump
Landfills
Comments: