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DEP publications
Biomonitoring sampling methods and field sheets (QAPP/SOP)

DEP publications

Biomonitoring Retrospective: Fifteen Year Summary for Maine Rivers and Streams. This report includes the results of fifteen years of biological monitoring effort and provides a summary of the results of biological monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrates in rivers and streams, between 1983 and 1998, in the State of Maine, by the DEP.

Biological Water Quality Standards to Achieve Biological Condition Goals in Maine Rivers and Streams. This publication describes the philosophy, history, methodology, and management applications of numeric biological criteria in water quality standards in Maine. The presentation describes the decision-making process used by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) for assessing attainment of aquatic life uses in water quality standards using benthic macroinvertebrates in Maine streams and rivers including eight case studies of management applications and the improved environmental outcomes that have resulted.

Chapter 579 (Word) Classification Attainment Evaluation Using Biological Criteria for Rivers and Streams

General Glossary for the Biological Monitoring Program

Effects of Urbanization on Aquatic Life of Maine Streams (PDF). The first part of this technical report summarizes the variety of factors that can make a stream more or less vulnerable to development within its watershed. The second part of the report presents the results of study about the effects of impervious cover on algal and macroinvertebrate communities.

Effects of Urbanization on Maine's Streams (PDF). This pamphlet summarizes the main findings of the report.

River and Stream Biological Monitoring Program -- Frequently Asked Questions DEP-LW0561 (PDF)

Education and Outreach

Common Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Maine Streams and Wetlands DEP-LW0873 (PDF)

Common Larval Stages of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates DEP-LW0874 (PDF)

Biomonitoring sampling methods and field sheets (QAPP/SOP)

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Biological Monitoring of Maine's Rivers, Streams, and Freshwater Wetlands (PDF)DEPLW0638C-2014 (updated June 1, 2019)

QAPP Table 1: Maine Water Quality Criteria for Classification of Fresh Surface Waters (Title 38 M.R.S. §465) (Please see p. 7 of the above QAPP pdf)

QAPP Table 2: Data Quality Objectives and Indicators, and Measurement Quality Objectives for Water Quality Monitoring (PDF)

QAPP Table 3: Details for Sampling Biota and Water Quality Parameters (PDF)

QAPP Table 4: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing Requirements as well as Calibration Method and Frequency for Field Instruments/Equipment (PDF)

QAPP Appendix A: List of Acronyms (Please see the above QAPP pdf).

QAPP Appendix B: Field Data Sheets (All field data sheets are pdf files)

River and Stream Macroinvertebrate Sampling Field Sheets

Maine DEP Biological Monitoring Unit Stream Macroinvertebrate Field Data Sheet

Algae Sampling Field Sheets

a) Maine DEP Stream Algae Field Data Sheet (PDF)
b) Maine DEP Viewing Bucket Survey Data Sheet (PDF)
c) Maine DEP Canopy Cover Sheet (PDF)
d) EPA Physical Characterization/Water Quality Field Data Sheet (PDF)
e) EPA Habitat Assessment Field Data Sheet - High Gradiant (PDF)
f) EPA Habitat Assessment Field Data Sheet - Low Gradiant (PDF)

Wetland Field Sheets

a) Maine DEP Wetland Bioassessment Field Data Form (PDF)
b) Human Disturbance Ranking Form for Biological Assessment of Wetlands (PDF)
c) Maine DEP Epiphytic Algae Data Sheet (PDF)
d) Maine DEP Biological Monitoring Program Wetland Aquatic Vegetation Sampling Form (PDF)

Stream Fish Field Data Sheet

a) Maine DEP Stream Fish Field Data Sheet (PDF)

QAPP Appendix C: Example Chain-of-Custody Forms

i. Example Water Chemistry Chain-of-Custody Form (PDF)
ii. Example Macroinvertebrate Chain-of-Custody Form (PDF)
iii. Example Algae Chain-of-Custody Form (PDF)

QAPP Appendix D: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Methods for Biological Sampling and Analysis of Maine's Rivers and Streams (PDF) DEPLW0387-C2014(updated April 2014)

Protocols for Using Dissolved Oxygen and Specific Conductance/pH Meters in Rivers, Streams, and Freshwater Wetlands (PDF) DEPLW0636A (updated May 2019)

Protocols for Measuring Water Velocity in Wadeable Streams and Rivers (PDF) DEPLW0635A (updated June 2019)

Protocols for Collecting Water Grab Samples in Rivers, Streams, and Freshwater Wetlands (PDF) DEPLW0637A (updated April 2019)

Procedure for Measuring Continuous Water Temperature Using an Onset Data Logger (PDF) DEPLW0700A (updated April 2019)
Appendix A: Protocols for Testing Temperature Logger Precision (PDF) DEPLW0700A (updated April 2019)
Appendix B: Temperature Logger Tracking Form (PDF) DEPLW0700A (updated April 2019)

Protocols for Sampling Algae in Wadeable Rivers, Streams, and Freshwater Wetlands (PDF) DEPLW0634B (updated May 2019)

Protocols for Sampling Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands (PDF) DEPLW0640A (updated May 2019)

Protocols for Managing Biomonitoring Data (PDF) DEPLW1202A (updated May 2019)

Protocols for Decontaminating Biomonitoring Sampling Equipment (PDF) DEPLW0919A (updated May 2019)

Protocols for Completing the Biological Monitoring Wetland Human Disturbance Assessment (PDF) DEPLW1259 (updated May 2019)

Protocols for Sampling Aquatic Macrophytes in Freshwater Wetlands (PDF) (DRAFT) (May 2019)

Protocols for Sampling Fish in Wadable Streams (PDF) (DRAFT) (June 2019)