Description: The sample sites are color coded according to the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (BIBI) scores. Anything below a BIBI score of 3.0 is red (Poor), 3.0-3.9 is yellow (Fair), and 4.0-5.0 is green (Good). Begun as a pilot in 2000, Maryland Stream Waders is a statewide volunteer stream monitoring program managed by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Monitoring and Nontidal Assessment Division. Stream Waders is the volunteer component of the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS). Goals of Stream Waders are: to increase the density of sampling sites for use in stream and watershed assessments; to improve stream stewardship ethics and encourage local action to improve watershed management; to educate the local community about the relationship between land use and stream quality; and to provide quality assured information on stream quality to state, local, and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and others. Stream Waders is designed to be seamless with the MBSS and several other stream sampling programs in Maryland. MBSS samples are collected at the watershed level (8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC); about 70 square miles each), while Stream Waders volunteers sample at a smaller scale subwatersheds at the 12-digit HUC; about 8 square miles each). Thus, Stream Waders data should help “fill the gaps” left in watershed areas not sampled by MBSS. Stream Waders sample, for the most part, in the sameoverall watersheds each year where MBSS crews sample.
Description: The MBSS assesses the ecological condition of 1st-4th order streams statwide (1995 - 2017). Biological, physical, and chemical pararmeters are reported as well site catchment data. See http://www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/MBSS.asp.
Description: Under contract with the State of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (MDNR),Versar provides support to the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) - a comprehensive survey to assess the status of biological resources in Maryland’s non-tidal streams, identify stresses and impacts, and establish a means to monitor the condition of the streams. Round One of the MBSS (a three-year study, 1995 to 1997) was based on a stream network derived from a GIS data set at a 1:250,000 scale. Round Two of the project, conducted in 2000-2004, required a finer scale in the base stream network, and a refined sampling design focusing on Maryland's 8-digit watersheds. Stream data at a 1:100,000 scale were selected as an suitable base for the second round of the project.The Department of Natural Resources makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of Spatial Data, and there are no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. The information contained in Spatial Data is from publicly available sources, but no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of Spatial Data. The Department of Natural Resources shall not be subject to liability for human error, error due to software conversion, defect, or failure of machines, or any material used in the connection with the machines, including tapes, disks, CD-ROM?s or DVD-ROM?s and energy. The Department of Natural Resources shall not be liable for any lost profits, consequential damages, or claims against the Department of Natural Resources by third parties. The liability of the Department of Natural Resources for damage regardless of the form of the action shall not exceed any distribution fees that may have been paid in obtaining Spatial Data.Credits: State of MD DNR under contract with Versar, Inc.
Description: The stream reaches are color coded according to the Combined Index of Biotic Integrity (CIBI) scores of the MBSS sites. The CIBI is the average of the fish IBI (FIBI) and the benthic IBI (BIBI). Anything below a CIBI score of 3.0 is red (Poor), 3.0-3.9 is yellow (Fair), and 4.0-5.0 is green (Good). The Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) was Maryland's first probability-based or random design stream sampling program intended to provide unbiased estimates of stream conditions with known precision at various spatial scales ranging from large 6-digit river basins and medium-sized 8-digit watersheds to the entire state.