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Stream Monitoring Definitions

Turbidity:   A measure of water clarity, measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs), which is a measure of the amount of light scattered by suspended material in the water.

Water Temperature:   Temperature of the water in degrees Celsius.  Plays an important role in a stream's oxygen level.

Dissolved Oxygen:  Oxygen dissolved in water.  Water temperature and atmospheric pressure affect the capacity of water to hold dissolved oxygen.  Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is reported as milligrams of oxygen per liter of water (mg/L). 

Flow Rate:   Amount of water flowing past a point for a specific time.  Measured in cubic feet per second (ft3/sec).

Biotic Assessment:   A scale to determine water quality based on the types of life found in the water (includes Biotic Index and Biotic Rating).

Habitat Assessment:   An approach for identifying and assessing the elements of a stream habitat.  It is based on a simple protocol developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, using observations of stream habitat characteristics and major physical attributes.