By David C. Voelker
U.S. Geological Survey
Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4331
Prepared in cooperation with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, Office of Environmental Services
Complete accessible text of report (1.28 MB PDF)Appendixes on CD (Excel Spreadsheets)
Abstract
During 1999–2001, benthic invertebrates and fish were sampled to describe biological communities in the White River and selected tributaries in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area in Indiana. Twelve sites (six on the White River and six on tributaries) were sampled biannually for benthic invertebrates and annually for fish. The information complements water-chemistry data collected by the Indianapolis Department of Public Works in the study area.
Evaluation of the habitat for sites in the study area was done, using a Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) developed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The QHEI scores basin and habitat characteristics for each site, with a maximum possible score of 100. Higher scores indicate better habitat conditions for biotic communities. The QHEI scores for sites on the White River ranged from 55 at the Harding site to 71 at the Waverly site; scores on the tributaries ranged from 45 on Pogues Run to 82 on Williams Creek.
A total of 151 taxa were identified from the benthic-invertebrate samples. The Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) Index scores for sites on the White River ranged from 0 at the Harding site to 15 at the Nora site. The Nora site, which is upstream from Indianapolis, generally scored the highest of all White River sites. Sites in the immediate vicinity of Indianapolis scored the lowest and indicate a negative effect on benthic-invertebrate communities in that reach. EPT Index scores increased in the farthest downstream reaches, which indicate that water-quality conditions had improved in comparison to sites in Indianapolis. For the tributary sites, EPT Index values ranged from 0 at Pogues Run to 16 at Buck Creek. Tributary sites on Fall Creek, Pleasant Run, and Pogues Run consistently scored 7 or lower; sites on Buck Creek, Eagle Creek, and Williams Creek scored 7 or higher.
Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) scores ranged from 4.9 (good) to 9.6 (very poor) for the White River sites and from 5.2 (good) to 8.0 (poor) for the tributary sites. The lowest scores among the White River sites were at the Nora site, indicating the best water-quality conditions were where the White River enters Marion County. The highest HBI scores were at the Morris and Harding sites, indicating the least-favorable water-quality conditions of all the White River sites. Of the tributary sites, HBI scores for Buck, Eagle, and Williams Creeks indicate fair water-quality conditions; HBI scores for Pleasant Run and Pogues Run were the highest, indicating relatively poor water-quality conditions.
On the White River, the highest Invertebrate Community Index (ICI) scores, which indicate the best benthic-invertebrate conditions, were at the Nora site. Conditions were fair to poor in the downtown Indianapolis area; ICI scores indicate slight improvement in the downstream reaches of the study area. Of the tributary sites, Buck Creek was the only site with ICI scores indicating exceptional water quality. Williams Creek ICI scores indicate good water quality; the remaining tributary-site scores reflect fair conditions.
A total of 74 species and 3 hybrids of fish were identified during the study period. The Cyprinidae (carps and minnows) was the largest group of fish identified and consisted of more than half of all fish collected. The most numerous species was the central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum), which accounted for almost 25 percent of the fish identified. Two nonnative species, the koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), and one species classified as an Indiana species of special concern, the northern studfish (Fundulus catenatus), also were collected during the study.
Indiana Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Ohio Index of Biotic Integrity scores were calculated to show the condition of the fish communities at each site. Results of the Indiana IBI calculations showed no apparent differences in scores among the White River sites. Among the tributary sites, however, scores from the Pleasant Run and Pogues Run sites indicate conditions at those sites were less favorable than at the other tributary sites.
Results of the study were affected by an accidental discharge at Anderson, Indiana, where toxic chemicals were released into the White River in December 1999. The discharge resulted in the death of an estimated 117 tons of fish along more than 50 miles of the White River from Anderson to south of Indianapolis. Biologists began restocking various reaches of the river with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings and adult channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) from April 2000 through November 2001. In addition to the changes in the fish population, the direct and indirect effect on the benthic-invertebrate community was not clear.
Since 1981, the U.S. Geological Survey has collected benthic invertebrates intermittently at or near three sites (Nora, Stout, and Waverly) on the White River. Historically, benthic- invertebrate data at the Nora site indicate generally good conditions as the White River enters the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. At the Stout site, however, benthic-invertebrate data indicate that conditions were consistently more degraded than at the other two sites. At the Waverly site, data indicate some recovery in water quality, although conditions were not as good as at the Nora site.
Fish data collected during this study also were compared to a compilation of fish species historically found in the White River Basin. Two species collected in this study—the Ohio lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium) and the banded darter (Etheostoma zonale)—were not reported in that compilation.
Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Previous Work
Description of Study Area
Methods of Investigation
Selection of Sampling Sites
Physical Habitats
Benthic Invertebrates
Fish
Biological Assessment of Conditions at Study Sites
White River near Nora, Ind.
White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
White River at Waverly, Ind.
Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind
Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
Comparisons among Sites
Physical Habitats
Benthic-Invertebrate Communities
Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index
Hilsenhoff Biotic Index
Invertebrate Community Index
Fish Communities
Ohio Index of Biotic Integrity
Indiana Index of Biotic Integrity
Comparisons to Previous USGS Studies
Benthic Invertebrates
Fish
Summary
Acknowledgments
Selected References
Figures
1. Map showing location of the study area and sampling sites on the White River and tributaries in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, where benthic-invertebrate and fish communities were sampled, 1999–2001
2.–7. Graphs showing—
2. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index scores for sites sampled, 2000
3. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001
4. Hilsenhoff Biotic Index scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001
5. Invertebrate Community Index scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001
6. Ohio Index of Biotic Integrity scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001
7. Indiana Index of Biotic Integrity scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001
8.–19. Maps showing sampling locations at—
8. White River near Nora, Ind.
9. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
10. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
11. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
12. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
13. White River at Waverly, Ind.
14. Buck Creek, 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
15. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
16. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
17. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
18. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
19. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
20.–22. Graphs showing—
20. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index scores for selected sites, 1981–2001
21. Hilsenhoff Biotic Index scores for selected sites, 1981–2001
22. Ratio of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index scores to total taxa for selected sites, 1981–20
Tables
1. Discharge at U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana
2. Benthic-invertebrate and fish-community sampling sites, 1999–2001
3. Habitat characteristics for benthic-invertebrate and fish-community sampling sites, 1999–2001
4. Benthic-invertebrate taxa collected at sampling sites, 1999–2001
5. Summary data for benthic invertebrates collected at sampling sites, 1999–2001
6. Fish collected at the White River sampling sites, 1999–2001
7. Fish collected at the White River tributary sampling sites, 1999–2001
8. Number of anomalies observed on fish collected at sampling sites, 1999–2001
Appendixes
[Compact Disc in Pocket]
9–90. Benthic-Invertebrate Data for:
May 1999—
9. White River near Nora, Ind.
10. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
11. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
12. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
13. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
14. White River at Waverly, Ind.
15. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
16. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
17. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
18. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
19. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
20. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
September 1999—
21. White River near Nora, Ind.
22. White River near Nora, Ind.
23. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
24. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
25. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
26. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
27. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
28. White River at Waverly, Ind.
29. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
30. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
31. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
32. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
33. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
34. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
May 2000—
35. White River near Nora, Ind.
36. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
37. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
38. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
39. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
40. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
41. White River at Waverly, Ind.
42. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
43. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
44. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
45. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
46. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
47. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
48. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
September 2000—
49. White River near Nora, Ind.
50. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
51. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
52. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
53. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
54. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
55. White River at Waverly, Ind.
56. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
57. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
58. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
59. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
60. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
61. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
62. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
May 2001—
63. White River near Nora, Ind.
64. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
65. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
66. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
67. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
68. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
69. White River at Waverly, Ind.
70. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
71. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
72. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
73. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
74. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
75. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
76. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
September 2001—
77. White River near Nora, Ind.
78. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
79. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
80. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
81. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
82. White River at Waverly, Ind.
83. White River at Waverly, Ind.
84. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
85. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
86. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
87. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
88. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
89. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
90. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
91–125. Fish Data for:
1999—
91. White River near Nora, Ind.
92. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
93. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
94. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
95. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
96. White River at Waverly, Ind.
97. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
98. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
99. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
100. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
101. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
2000—
102. White River near Nora, Ind.
103. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
104. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
105. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
106. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
107. White River at Waverly, Ind.
108. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
109. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
110. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
111. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
112. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
113. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
2001—
114. White River near Nora, Ind.
115. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
116. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
117. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind.
118. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind.
119. White River at Waverly, Ind.
120. Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind.
121. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
122. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
123. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
124. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
125. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind.
Complete accessible text of report (1.28 MB PDF)
Appendixes on CD (Excel Spreadsheets)
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