Foote Brook Macroinvertebrate Biomonitoring - Phase 2 in Johnson, Vermont

In 2000, Foote Brook was identified as a high priority site for restoration after the extensive countywide stream stability study, Stream Stability Assessment of Lamoille County, Vermont. The study identified the upstream reach of Foote Brook as actively degrading, entrenched, with over-steepened streambanks. In 2001, a natural channel restoration project took place on Foote Brook in Johnson, Vermont, in order to protect the Route 15 road embankment and bridge abutment, stabilize eroding streambanks, enhance fisheries and wildlife habitat, and increase woody riparian buffers. Prior to the implementation of this project, funding was secured to conduct aquatic insect biomonitoring in order to get pre-restoration data. These results are documented in Phase I of the Foote Brook Macroinvertebrate Biomonitoring project (see Cross Reference for the metadata documenting Phase 1). This report represents Phase II or the post-restoration monitoring phase. Sites along Foote Brook were identified in order to document the condition of the benthic macroinvertebrate community above, at, and below the restoration site. Although these data will not be relied upon to determine impairment, or for enforcement actions, results will assess the impact of the physical channel restoration on the biological integrity of the stream. This assessment is designed as a simple screening level assessment that will be able to detect gross changes in the community over time. The project’s goal is to produce data that can be used to supplement more rigorous assessment carried out periodically by the VT DEC. Other important goals of the project were to involve the local community and school groups through education and outreach. By reaching out to the community in this biomonitoring effort, local residents can undertake stewardship efforts to assess, conserve and improve aquatic resources in Lamoille County. Foote Brook drains 8.49 square miles in the towns of Johnson and Belvidere, Vermont. The waterway rises at an elevation of 2650 feet above sea level and drops 485 feet to its confluence with the Lamoille River. Foote Brook has the highest population of trout for streams in Lamoille County. The channel is primarily a step-pool and plane-bed type system. Nearly the entire watershed is forested above the Route 15 crossing. Insects are common inhabitants of the stream bottom environment and commonly include mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and true flies. Aquatic macroinvertebrates serve as excellent indicators of water quality. Each insect has varying ability to withstand environmental impacts and therefore, any stressor (physical, biological or chemical) imposed on an ecosystem will reveal themselves in the composition of the biological organisms inhabiting that community. For example, sediments from erosion may decrease the variety of insects and other macroinvertebrates that are able to survive and so indicate a loss of biological health Metrics measured in this study include pollution tolerance, sample density, family richness, % contribution of dominant family, and other criteria. The findings from the individual sites were compared with the control (reference) site, which is used as a benchmark for comparison. It was determined that the control site and restoration site rated similarly in their results. In the summary of similarity, if a stream is found to be >79% similar to the reference stream, then it is in a non-impaired state, reflecting a good population of pollution intolerant organisms and good habitat structure. Site 2 (0.50) rated 100% similarity to the reference site, indicating a relatively healthy stream. Site 3 (0.25) rated 76%, falling into the moderately impaired category (29-79%), indicating a decrease of richness and pollution tolerant organisms. NOTE that this metadata was generated using the NBII Biological Profile, and includes information about lineage, methods, and taxonomy that will be lost if imported into a metadata software that doesn't recognize the biological fields (i.e. ArcCatalog). See Supplemental information prior to using this dataset.