Water: Rivers & Streams
Rivers & Streams
There are over 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams in the U.S., covering an enormous and diverse landscape. Not surprisingly, the condition of the nation’s streams and rivers varies widely. Cities and town, farmlands, mines, factories, sewage treatment facilities, dams, and many human activities on the land have significant impacts on the quality of our flowing waters. Understanding the condition of rivers and streams is critical if we are to develop effective plans to maintain, manage, and restore them.
National Aquatic Resource Surveys – Statistically-based surveys of the condition of the Nation's waters
Water Quality Conditions Reported by the States (ATTAINS database) – Search for stream quality information nationally, by state, by watershed, or by waterbody
National Water Quality Inventory Reports (under Section 305b of the Clean Water Act) – National summary reports on the quality of rivers and streams and other waters
Guidance on Assessing River and Stream Condition
- Bioassessment and Biocriteria
- Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Wadeable Streams and Rivers
- Volunteer Stream Monitoring – Stream assessment methods for citizen volunteer monitoring programs
Monitoring and Assessing Water Quality
EPA's Healthy Watersheds Initiative - Protecting our cleanest waters