dominated by Scirpus sp. (rushes) and Eleocharis palustris, common spikerush. Aquatic vegetation and 

 overhanging banks provided the most significant stream habitat in this stream reach. Equisetum sp. 

 (Horsetails) also comprised a large percentage of vegetation coverage along the riparian stream channel 

 between pools 2-4. Livestock use index (LUI) was moderate with ~20 cow pies counted on a 75m walk 

 of the left bank. Pugging and hummocking was especially noticeable in the first pool area where the cows 

 have a stream crossing, and upstream at the 275m mark just below pool 4. 



Reach Habitat Ranking: BLM= 7 1 % ( 1 7 of 24) EPA RBP= 80 % ( i 60 of 200) 



Reach Riparian Geomorphology: The geomorphoiogy of this stream reach is roughly a Rosgen E-6 

 with a gentle slope (<2%), moderate sinuosity, a glide-pool configuration and substrate ranging from silt- 

 dominated pools and sand to pebbles in the dried connecting glides. Pools are quite incised and averaged 

 >50 cm in depth. 



Amphibian Community: I adult Northern Leopard Frog, Rana pipiens (NLF) present. Evidence of 

 breeding amphibians was present in NLF and Great Plains Toad, Bufo cognatus tadpoles. 



Fish Community: 2 fish species (Fathead and brassy minnows) were seined in the 3 pools. Expected 

 dominant fish for this stream type would have been fathead minnows and brook sticklebacks, so the 

 brassy minnows were a nice surprise. 



Fish Community Quality: IBI= 51.5 0/E= 2/2.4 or 75% complete. 



Macroinvertebrate Community: This community of prairie stream invertebrates consists of the 

 impaired Prairie Pool assemblage (# 1 2, Stagliano 2005). The community indicator species are 

 characterized by tolerant, damselfly taxa, Coenagrion/Enallagma sp. Enallagma civile, Lestes and 

 Ishnura, the crustaceans {Hyalella and Gammarus), many genera of the water boatman (Corixidae: 

 Sigara alternate, Trichocorixa nais, and Corisella), the snails (Physella, Gyraulus, and Stagnicola), 

 mayflies (Caenis and Callibaetis), and beetles {Oreodytes, Laccophilus, Hydroporus and Hygrotus). 

 As the complexity of the pool habitat decreases the dinger habitat species are lost, such as the 

 damselflies and many of the water boatman taxa. Only 60% of the indicator species were present in this 

 sample. 



Macroinvertebrate Community Quality: MT MMI= 28 0/E= 60% 



43 



