Analyzing Stream Health

This site analyzes benthic macro­invertebrate community structure to determine the ecological health of streams.  Participating agencies use this site to manage, analyze and share data from their ongoing stream monitoring programs.

Benthic macro­invertebrates, also known as stream bugs, are animals that can be seen with the naked eye, do not have backbones and live in the stream benthos—in or near the streambed.  They include insects, crustaceans, worms, snails, clams, etc.

Benthic macro­invertebrates are monitored because they are good indicators of the biological health of stream systems and play a crucial role in the stream ecosystem.