Abstract
The Kaw Nation Environmental Department, as part of the water quality monitoring parameters in its non-point source pollution project conducted a benthic macro-inventebrat sampling and taxonomic classification as a stream bioassessment of Little Beaver and Bear Creeks. Little Beaver Creek is located in the tall grass prairie of Kay County, Oklahoma. It is one of the tributary creeks that enter Kaw Lake in the HUC 110060001. The macro-invertebrate samples were collected from three sites within Little Beaver Creek. The samples were collected in a net using a kick disturbance method referenced in U.S. EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol. A total of 10 orders and 46 taxa were identified. Taxa richness, EPT taxa richness, EPT abundance, Hilsenhoff Biotic Index and Shannon Weaver Diversity Index were calculated. It is the objective of this study to identify the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the water quality of the creeks and determine streams health as per the Clean Water Act stipulations. Based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Rapid Bioassessment protocol, the macro-invertebrate communities could be used as a tool to identify water quality and impaired streams as a result of non-point source pollution.
Highlights
The Kaw Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in north central Kay County, OK
All the indexes above show Little Beaver Creek is of better quality than Bear Creek in terms of water quality and species diversity
The water quality data that was collected at the time of macro-invertebrate sampling showed over all good water quality
Summary
The Kaw Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in north central Kay County, OK. The Kaw Nation Environmental Department (KNED) as part of its water quality program collects macroinvertebrate sample from at least two creeks each year as a measure of the water quality parameters. In 2009, KNED staff sampled Little Beaver Creek twice and Bear Creek once These samples may tell KNED about the environmental health of the creeks. The Clean Water Act stipulates that the chemical, physical and biological integrity waters are of high value. Macro-invertebrates studies can provide insight to the human impact upon streams and provides data where and when to protect streams from human influence. These studies may help us categorize the environmental health of the two creeks
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