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Site Selection. PHWH Stream Criteria. Watershed area of less than 1.0 sq. mile and maximum pool depth of under 40 cm. If the watershed is greater than 1.0 sq. mile and the pool depth is over 40 cm, then another protocol is used – the Qualitative Headwater Evaluation Index (QHEI).
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PHWH Stream Criteria • Watershed area of less than 1.0 sq. mile and maximum pool depth of under 40 cm. • If the watershed is greater than 1.0 sq. mile and the pool depth is over 40 cm, then another protocol is used – the Qualitative Headwater Evaluation Index (QHEI)
When to Sample Any time of the year Must be at base flow1 conditions PHWH streams recover quickly from rains June through September optimal for biological sampling
Reasons for SamplingDetermining: • Total linear feet of PHWH within a property • Impacts of road building, pipeline, or power line projects • Proper aquatic life classifications for NPDES permit • Impacts of discharges or alterations on stream chemistry/biology The great number of primary headwater streams in Ohio, their diverse ecological functions, and their value to the well being of the larger rivers, lakes, and wetlands to which they are tributary are all reasons that highlight the importance of their proper classification and protection!
Reasons for Sampling:Impacts over time at the level of watersheds
Rheocrene Habitats Rheocrene1 Habitats have wide very shallow channels, but NO defined bed or bank HHEI not performed on this habitat Photo by Katie Eppley
Glossary Baseflow- When groundwater provides the entire flow of a stream, baseflow conditions are said to exist. (Iowa DNR) Rheocrene- A rheocrene habitat is a spring that does not qualify as a PHWH stream because it lacks a true bed and bank. Stream Reach- The length of stream being sampled.