TRPA Stream Monitoring Program (Bioassessment)

TRPA's stream monitoring uses the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program protocol, which measures Benthic Macroinvertebrate (BMI) composition and physical stream habitat. BMI composition and habitat is compared against "reference" streams using the California Stream Condition Index to determine the biotic integrity of streams. Probabilistic and targeted sampling is used to assess the overall health of Tahoe streams and to assess large scale restoration and watershed BMP implementation. 20 random sites (squares on map) are sampled per year. 65 permanent "trend" sites (markers on map) and 8 "reference" sites are sampled every 4 years. All data can be found at www.ceden.org.