Category
Applied
Description
Recently, Lake Hydaway, an artificial lake in Lynchburg, Virginia, was expanded from 6 to 31 acres. The expansion project included the demolition of the old dam, excavation of the lakebed, construction of a new dam, and the removal of riparian vegetation directly downstream of the dam. Opossum Creek, a first-order stream and tributary flowing into and out of the lake, is at risk of being disturbed by the expansion, which has the potential to impact its freshwater ecosystem. Through observing communities of benthic macroinvertebrates, insights can be made into the health of aquatic environments. This research selected four sites along Opossum Creek: two upstream and two downstream of the lake. The method of collection for benthic macroinvertebrate samples was a modified kicknet. These samples were then picked and identified in the lab. Data collected on the macroinvertebrate counts and families were assessed using the Virginia Stream Condition Index Score and other associated methods. This research also began the establishment of a sound and repeatable, long-term monitoring of the macroinvertebrate community in Opossum Creek, and an evaluation of the stream ecosystem’s health as affected by Lake Hydaway’s expansion.
Virginia Stream Condition Index Score of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Opossum Creek¿
Applied
Recently, Lake Hydaway, an artificial lake in Lynchburg, Virginia, was expanded from 6 to 31 acres. The expansion project included the demolition of the old dam, excavation of the lakebed, construction of a new dam, and the removal of riparian vegetation directly downstream of the dam. Opossum Creek, a first-order stream and tributary flowing into and out of the lake, is at risk of being disturbed by the expansion, which has the potential to impact its freshwater ecosystem. Through observing communities of benthic macroinvertebrates, insights can be made into the health of aquatic environments. This research selected four sites along Opossum Creek: two upstream and two downstream of the lake. The method of collection for benthic macroinvertebrate samples was a modified kicknet. These samples were then picked and identified in the lab. Data collected on the macroinvertebrate counts and families were assessed using the Virginia Stream Condition Index Score and other associated methods. This research also began the establishment of a sound and repeatable, long-term monitoring of the macroinvertebrate community in Opossum Creek, and an evaluation of the stream ecosystem’s health as affected by Lake Hydaway’s expansion.
