Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Data Collected from Kansas City Metro Area Streams, 2011-2013

Publication Date

2020-11-19

Start Date

2011-10-03

End Date

2015-01-31

Poulton, B.C., 2020, Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Data Collected from Kansas City Metro Area Streams, 2011-2013: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F74B3081.

Within recently developed urban and suburban areas (post-1950) of the Kansas City metropolitan region of western Missouri, stormwater runoff drains directly into streams (non-connected stormwater) rather than being consolidated with untreated municipal waste as is typical of older development (pre-1950 combined sewer systems). Streams receiving this stormwater runoff are surveyed for aquatic macroinvertebrates 1-2 times per year to assess stream condition, identify urban stressors associated with water and habitat quality, and satisfy municipal permits. Macroinvertebrates are sampled utilizing established protocols for evaluating Missouri streams, so that data are compatible with the assessment framework state agencies (Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources) use to identify aquatic impairment and quantify sources and causes of stream degradation. Data are used to compare indicators among stream categories (reference, urban transitional, stormwater-affected) and to identify reaches that are rapidly changing in biological condition (increasing or decreasing), as well as the causes for these changes (land use conversion, habitat alterations). The data could also be used by ecologists to develop better, more diagnostic indicators for measuring stream impairment and for more effectively evaluating urban stream quality.

• Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC)
• USGS Data Release Products