Biological Assessment of Streams Associated with the Northern Training Complex at Fort knox, Kentucky, August 2000
Abstract
Construction and use of proposed training areas in the Northern Training Complex of Fort Knox have the potential to degrade stream habitats. Clearing and maneuvering of treaded vehicles will increase soil erosion rates. Overland runoff will tend to wash disturbed soils into the high-gradient headwater streams. During high discharge, suspended particles will be carried downstream. Increased deposition of fine-grained particles in streambeds may degrade habitat conditions in the cobble and gravel streambeds typical of this area. The benthic macroinvertebrate aspect of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Rapid Bioassessment Protocol was applied in August 2000 to selected streams likely to be affected by proposed improvements of training facilities on Fort Knox. Emphasis was on description of baseline conditions of water quality, physical habitat characteristics (especially substratum), and macroinvertebrate community composition. Such baseline information allows assessment of relative value of stream habitats and prediction of susceptibility to adverse impacts of construction and use of proposed training sites and provides a basis for future monitoring. Macroinvertebrate communities in streams sampled in the Northern Training Complex were neither abundant nor diverse. These communities were limited primarily by intermittency of streamflow and associated hypoxia. Thus, instream biological impacts of construction and use of proposed training areas are not likely to be substantial. If appropriately sized riparian corridors are left to protect the edges of streams, then physical changes to streambeds can be minimized. This would allow maximum biological use of stream channels during sustained periods of high to moderate flow. Regardless, indirect effects of sedimentation on aquatic communities in intermittent streams are of minor concern relative to direct effects on forests and wetlands.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA389370
Entities
People
- Berry S. Payne
- William B. Green
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center