Methods 



Streams surveyed in this study were pre-selected by David Genter 

 of the Montana Natural Heritage Program. Surveys were conducted by 

 hiking up the stream bed and frequently glassing ahead with 

 binoculars. Four streams were surveyed by floating in a kayak. 

 Analysis of the physical characters of each stream were done 

 qualitatively using scaling methods described by Carlson (1990). 

 Stream flow data was obtained from the Forest Hydrologist for the 

 Flathead National Forest. Benthic macroinvertebrate densities were 

 estimated qualitatively based on the authors past experience working 

 with benthos. All the streams surveyed were rated as having normal 

 densities of aquatic insects with some registering higher than others. 

 Streams in Northwest Montana typically have low densities of aquatic 

 insects due to the low nutrient concentrations in the soils. The 

 following measurement scales are taken in part from Carlson (1990). 

 Stream characteristics based on the criteria below are evaluated in 

 the table included in the appendix. 



1. Ground cover measurements were based on the following scale. 



low = 0% - 30% ground cover 

 medium = 31% - 70% ground cover 

 high = 71% -100% ground cover 



2. Stream bank vegetation was divided into three groups; herbaceous, 

 shrub, tree. Dominant vegetation was determined by that shading the 

 highest percentage of area for a distance of 15 feet from the stream 

 bank. 



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