Irving Branch (IB-01)

About the site:

Site IB-01 is located on Irving Branch just upstream of the road crossing at Dorsey Road. IB-01 was sampled between 2017 and 2021 as part of a separate study of the Sawmill Creek watershed. The site was added to the targeted monitoring program in 2022, as an extensive stream restoration project was slated for construction in 2024 (the 2024 benthic and fish sampling were conducted prior to construction activities). Impervious surface accounts for nearly 25 percent of land use within the site’s drainage area.

IB01
Site IB-01
Time FrameBIBI (Condition)FIBI (Condition)aRBP (Condition)
2024 Results2.71 (Poor)1.00 (Very Poor)99 (Non-Supporting)
Cumulative Average (2017-2024)2.89 (Poor)1.58 (Very Poor)109 (Partially Supporting)
3-year Running Average2.52 (Poor)1.45 (Very Poor)103 (Partially Supporting)
a) fish data were collected 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024.

Site IB-01: IB-01 received a BIBI score of 2.71 (Poor) in 2024, the third consecutive year with a score below 3.00 after four years (2018-2021) of scoring 3.00 or higher. The cumulative average BIBI score is 2.89 (Poor) while the three-year running average is 2.52 (Poor). True flies have been the dominant organism in samples over the past five years.

IB-01 Summary of Insects Collected by Sample Year:

ib-01-bug-plot.jpg

Site IB-01: The site received either a “Poor” or “Very Poor“ rating in previous years, as the number of individual fish found at this site has been relatively low.  In 2024, no fish were found at the site, resulting in an automatic score of 1.00 (Very Poor).

IB-01 Summary of Insects Collected by Sample Year:

ib-01-fish-plot.jpg

Site IB-01: The 2024 RBP score of 99 (Not Supporting) is lower than  typical scores dating back to 2018 which have correlated to “Partially Supporting” or “Supporting” ratings.  The cumulative average and the three-year running average scores are both in the Partially Supporting category at 109 and 103, respectively. 

Site IB-01: A geomorphological assessment was performed here in 2010, as part of a separate project and before yearly assessments began in 2017.  Between 2010 and 2022 the channel incised by nearly 4 feet, indicating increased peak flows and little interaction between the stream and surrounding floodplain.  A collapse of the right bank between the 2022 and 2023 measurements resulted in a 3-foot retreat of the right bank and the deposition of 2 feet of sediment on the channel bottom. The 2024 measurement showed little change from the previous year. 

IB-01 Cross-Section Comparison:

ib-01-geo-plot.jpg
IB-01
YearBIBI (Condition)FIBI (Condition)RPB (Condition)
20172.43 (P)---138 (S)
20183.29 (F)2.00 (P)104 (PS)
20193.29 (F)--117 (PS)
20203.00 (f)1.67 (VP)104 (PS)
20213.57 (F)--102 (PS)
20222.71 (P)1.67 (VP)106 (P
20232.14 (P)--103 (PS)

2024

2.71 (P)

1.00 (VP)

99 (NS)

Station Summary
 Average BIBI (SD)3-Year Average BIBI (SD)Average RPB (SD)3-Year Average RBP (SD)Average FIBI (SD)3-Year FIBI Average (SD)
IB-012.89 (0.48)2.52 (0.33)109 (13)103 (4)1.58 (0.42)1.78 (0.39)
SD = Standard Deviation