Stream Biology Study Identifies Impacts of Urbanization in Johnson County

Urbanization has negatively affected stream biology in Johnson County, according to a study done by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These results are similar to studies completed in other urban areas across the nation. Biological assessments of organisms living in aquatic environments, such as insects, are crucial components of water-quality programs because they provide an indication of how well water bodies support aquatic life. 

Sampling of stream insects done in 2003-2004 indicated that most rural sites in Johnson County contained a diversity of insects like mayflies, stoneflies, and dragon flies, whereas more urban stream sites had very few of these insects and were dominated by more pollution-tolerant species.   Biological conditions in the Blue River watershed, which is shared by Kansas and Missouri, deteriorated as the watershed became more urbanized in Missouri.

In Johnson County, stream sites that were least affected by human disturbance included Captain Creek and upstream Blue River, Cedar Creek, and Kill Creek sites.  In contrast, stream sites on Indian, Tomahawk, and Turkey Creeks were most affected by human disturbance.  No sites, including Captain Creek, a reference site in western Johnson County identified by the State of Kansas as minimally disturbed by human activity, met state criteria for full support of aquatic life.   The map shows the sampling sites in Johnson County, Kansas, and nearby Missouri and relative biological impacts as indicated by the study.

The USGS, in cooperation with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program, is conducting a multi-year study to determine the water quality conditions of Johnson County streams.  The study began in October 2002 and initially focused on sources of water-quality contaminants in relation to land use practices.  The biological assessment was an element of the study used to further understand the water-quality conditions of streams in Johnson County.

"The Johnson County Stormwater Management Program is using this data to better understand the current state of the health of the streams, assist in developing best management practices to improve the health of the streams by minimizing the impacts of point source discharges and nonpoint source urban runoff, and to ultimately determine the effectiveness of the best management practices being used," said Kent Lage, Johnson County Stormwater Management Program.

In addition, continuous water-quality monitoring in five major watersheds will help improve understanding of water-quality dynamics in each watershed, resulting in management strategies that are most effective at protecting Johnson County streams.  More information about this study can be found at:

http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/joco/

The new biological conditions assessment report and fact sheet are now available online at:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5108/

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3044/

Copies of Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5108, “Assessment of Biological Conditions at Selected Stream Sites in Johnson County, Kansas, and Cass and Jackson Counties, Missouri, 2003 and 2004” by Barry Poulton, Teresa J. Rasmussen, and Casey J. Lee may be purchased from the USGS Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, Colo. 80225, or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. A limited number of copies will be available from the USGS office in Lawrence, Kansas in mid-August.

The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

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