Biological Assessment of Streams in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001

By David C. Voelker

Prepared in cooperation with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, Office of Environmental Services

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4331

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2004

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ iii

Contents

Abstract ...... 1 Introduction ...... 2 Purpose and Scope ...... 4 Previous Work ...... 4 Description of Study Area ...... 4 Methods of Investigation ...... 4 Selection of Sampling Sites ...... 5 Physical Habitats ...... 5 Benthic Invertebrates ...... 5 Fish ...... 7 Biological Assessment of Conditions at Study Sites ...... 8 White River near Nora, Ind...... 8 White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 14 White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 15 White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind...... 16 White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind...... 16 White River at Waverly, Ind...... 17 Buck Creek 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind...... 17 Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 18 Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 19 Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 19 Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 20 Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 21 Comparisons among Sites ...... 21 Physical Habitats ...... 21 Benthic-Invertebrate Communities...... 21 Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index ...... 22 Hilsenhoff Biotic Index ...... 22 Invertebrate Community Index ...... 22 Fish Communities ...... 23 Ohio Index of Biotic Integrity ...... 24 Indiana Index of Biotic Integrity ...... 24 Comparisons to Previous USGS Studies ...... 24 Benthic Invertebrates ...... 24 Fish ...... 25 Summary ...... 25 Acknowledgments ...... 29 Selected References ...... 29 iv

Contents—Continued

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 ...... 3 2.–7. Graphs showing— 2. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index scores for sites sampled, 2000 ...... 8 3. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001. . . . 9 4. Hilsenhoff Biotic Index scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001...... 10 5. Invertebrate Community Index scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001...... 11 6. Ohio Index of Biotic Integrity scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001...... 12 7. Indiana Index of Biotic Integrity scores for sites sampled, 1999–2001...... 13 8.–19. Maps showing sampling locations at— 8. White River near Nora, Ind...... 14 9. White River at Morris Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 15 10. White River at Harding Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 15 11. White River below Stout Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind...... 16 12. White River at Wicker Road near Southport, Ind...... 17 13. White River at Waverly, Ind...... 17 14. Buck Creek, 1.2 miles downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind...... 18 15. Eagle Creek at Raymond Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 18 16. Fall Creek at 16th Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 19 17. Pleasant Run near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 20 18. Pogues Run at Vermont Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 20 19. Williams Creek at 96th Street at Indianapolis, Ind...... 21 20.–22. Graphs showing— 20. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index scores for selected sites, 1981–2001. . . 26 21. Hilsenhoff Biotic Index scores for selected sites, 1981–2001...... 27 22. Ratio of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera Index scores to total taxa for selected sites, 1981–2001...... 28

Tables

1. Discharge at U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana...... 6 2. Benthic-invertebrate and fish-community sampling sites, 1999–2001 ...... 6 3. Habitat characteristics for benthic-invertebrate and fish-community sampling sites, 1999–2001 . . . 32 4. Benthic-invertebrate taxa collected at sampling sites, 1999–2001 ...... 35 5. Summary data for benthic invertebrates collected at sampling sites, 1999–2001 ...... 39 6. Fish collected at the White River sampling sites, 1999–2001 ...... 40 7. Fish collected at the White River tributary sampling sites, 1999–2001 ...... 44 8. Number of anomalies observed on fish collected at sampling sites, 1999–2001 ...... 48 v

Contents—Continued

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. vi

Contents—Continued

Benthic-Invertebrate Data, May 2000—Continued 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. vii

Contents—Continued

Benthic-Invertebrate Data, September 2001—Continued 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. viii

Conversion Factors and Acronyms

Multiply By To obtain

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

square foot (ft2) 0.09290 square meter (m2)

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2)

yard (yd) 0.9144 meter (m)

pound (lb) 0.4536 kilogram (kg)

ton, short (2,000 lb) 0.9072 megagram (Mg)

micrometer (µm) 0.00003937 inch (in.)

millimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in.)

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in.)

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz)

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound (lb)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows: °F = (1.8 × °C) + 32

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83).

Acronyms used in this report: CSO Combined-Sewer Overflow DNR Indiana Department of Natural Resources DPW Department of Public Works (Indianapolis) EPT Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera HBI Hilsenhoff Biotic Index IBI Index of Biotic Integrity ICI Invertebrate Community Index NAWQA National Water-Quality Assessment Program Ohio EPA Ohio Environmental Protection Agency QHEI Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index USGS U.S. Geological Survey Biological Assessment of Streams in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001

By David C. Voelker

Abstract fair water-quality conditions; HBI scores for Pleasant Run and Pogues Run were the highest, indicating relatively poor water- quality conditions. During 1999–2001, benthic invertebrates and fish were On the White River, the highest Invertebrate Community sampled to describe biological communities in the White River Index (ICI) scores, which indicate the best benthic-invertebrate and selected tributaries in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area conditions, were at the Nora site. Conditions were fair to poor in Indiana. Twelve sites (six on the White River and six on in the downtown Indianapolis area; ICI scores indicate slight tributaries) were sampled biannually for benthic invertebrates improvement in the downstream reaches of the study area. and annually for fish. The information complements water- Of the tributary sites, Buck Creek was the only site with ICI chemistry data collected by the Indianapolis Department of scores indicating exceptional water quality. Williams Creek Public Works in the study area. ICI scores indicate good water quality; the remaining tributary- Evaluation of the habitat for sites in the study area was site scores reflect fair conditions. done, using a Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) developed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The A total of 74 species and 3 hybrids of fish were identified QHEI scores basin and habitat characteristics for each site, with during the study period. The Cyprinidae (carps and minnows) a maximum possible score of 100. Higher scores indicate better was the largest group of fish identified and consisted of more habitat conditions for biotic communities. The QHEI scores for than half of all fish collected. The most numerous species sites on the White River ranged from 55 at the Harding site to was the central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum), which 71 at the Waverly site; scores on the tributaries ranged from 45 accounted for almost 25 percent of the fish identified. Two on Pogues Run to 82 on Williams Creek. nonnative species, the koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the west- ern mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), and one species classified A total of 151 taxa were identified from the benthic- as an Indiana species of special concern, the northern studfish invertebrate samples. The Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and (Fundulus catenatus), also were collected during the study. Trichoptera (EPT) Index scores for sites on the White River ranged from 0 at the Harding site to 15 at the Nora site. The Indiana Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Ohio Index of Nora site, which is upstream from Indianapolis, generally Biotic Integrity scores were calculated to show the condition scored the highest of all White River sites. Sites in the im- of the fish communities at each site. Results of the Indiana IBI mediate vicinity of Indianapolis scored the lowest and indicate calculations showed no apparent differences in scores among a negative effect on benthic-invertebrate communities in that the White River sites. Among the tributary sites, however, reach. EPT Index scores increased in the farthest downstream scores from the Pleasant Run and Pogues Run sites indicate reaches, which indicate that water-quality conditions had conditions at those sites were less favorable than at the other improved in comparison to sites in Indianapolis. For the tribu- tributary sites. tary sites, EPT Index values ranged from 0 at Pogues Run to Results of the study were affected by an accidental dis- 16 at Buck Creek. Tributary sites on Fall Creek, Pleasant Run, charge at Anderson, Indiana, where toxic chemicals were and Pogues Run consistently scored 7 or lower; sites on Buck released into the White River in December 1999. The discharge Creek, Eagle Creek, and Williams Creek scored 7 or higher. resulted in the death of an estimated 117 tons of fish along more Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) scores ranged from 4.9 than 50 miles of the White River from Anderson to south of (good) to 9.6 (very poor) for the White River sites and from Indianapolis. Biologists began restocking various reaches of the 5.2 (good) to 8.0 (poor) for the tributary sites. The lowest scores river with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings and among the White River sites were at the Nora site, indicating adult channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), flathead catfish the best water-quality conditions were where the White River (Pylodictis olivaris), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), enters Marion County. The highest HBI scores were at the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), rock bass (Am- Morris and Harding sites, indicating the least-favorable water- bloplites rupestris), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), redear quality conditions of all the White River sites. Of the tributary sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), and white crappie (Pomoxis sites, HBI scores for Buck, Eagle, and Williams Creeks indicate annularis) from April 2000 through November 2001. In addi- 2 Biological Assessment of Streams in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001 tion to the changes in the fish population, the direct and indirect mental quality. Biological integrity may be the most critical effect on the benthic-invertebrate community was not clear. assessment of stream health because stream biota are subject to Since 1981, the U.S. Geological Survey has collected a full range of environmental influences (chemical, physical, benthic invertebrates intermittently at or near three sites (Nora, and biological). To achieve the objectives of the Clean Water Stout, and Waverly) on the White River. Historically, benthic- Act (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002), compre- invertebrate data at the Nora site indicate generally good con- hensive information about the ecological integrity of aquatic ditions as the White River enters the Indianapolis Metropolitan environments is needed. Biological criteria can help to identify Area. At the Stout site, however, benthic-invertebrate data indi- water-quality impairments, support regulatory controls that cate that conditions were consistently more degraded than at the address water-quality problems, and assess improvements in other two sites. At the Waverly site, data indicate some recov- water quality from regulatory efforts. ery in water quality, although conditions were not as good as at the Nora site. Benthic invertebrates have limited mobility and can be Fish data collected during this study also were compared used as indicators of the long-term effects of water quality to a compilation of fish species historically found in the White in streams. Benthic invertebrates can be found in all but the River Basin. Two species collected in this study—the Ohio most severely polluted habitats. Fish, however, may be absent lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium) and the banded darter (Etheo- because of natural or manmade causes such as dams or shallow stoma zonale)—were not reported in that compilation. riffles that obstruct their passage along a stream reach. Fish communities, although much more mobile than benthic invertebrates, also can represent water-quality conditions in a stream Introduction because of their sensitivity to a wide variety of environmental factors (such as habitat degradation, siltation, pesticides, nutri- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1999) guid- ents, and changes in streamflow). Biological diversity can be ance document for monitoring and modeling of combined- affected by such factors as colonization rates, suitable habitat, sewer overflows (CSOs) states that baseline conditions of extinction rates, competition, predation, physical disturbances, the receiving water need to be defined. The Indianapolis and pollution (Crowder, 1990). Department of Public Works (DPW), Office of Environmental One notable event on the White River during December Services, is responsible for managing the city’s infrastructure, including the combined-sewer system in Indianapolis. The 1999 affected the fish and benthic-invertebrate communities in DPW is determining control strategies to mediate the effects the study area. The accidental discharge of thousands of gallons of CSOs and other point and non-point sources of pollution of toxic chemicals into the White River at Anderson, Indiana, on the water quality of receiving streams in the Indianapolis resulted in the death of an estimated 117 tons of fish along more Metropolitan Area. The DPW has an ongoing water-monitoring than 50 miles of the White River from Anderson to south of program to collect surface-water-quality samples within Mar- Indianapolis (Indiana Department of Environmental Manage- ion County. If surface-water sampling is used as the sole ment, 2000). In addition to the changes in the fish communities, method to determine water quality, however, substantial effects the direct and indirect effect on the benthic-invertebrate com- on the biological communities such as habitat degradation, silt- munity was not clear. ation, and flow alterations can be missed. Biological monitoring provides an assessment of water quality that integrates the The White River fish kill was the result of excess amounts effects of multiple stressors, including episodic events such as of chemicals used to treat wastewater from a metal-plating plant storms, which may result in chemical alterations from effluent in Anderson being passed through a publicly owned waste- discharged directly to the stream. water-treatment plant and entering the river. The discharge In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in coopera- occurred approximately 41 river miles upstream from the Nora tion with the DPW began a study to assess benthic-invertebrate site, the most upstream site sampled for this study. The sus- and fish communities in the White River and selected tributaries pected contaminant, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, is in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area (fig. 1). Information altered to form a number of compounds such as carbon disul- gained from the assessment complements DPW’s chemical fide, dimethylamine, carbamates, and thiram when mixed with monitoring of surface waters. Evaluation of stream biota is one water. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management way to determine cumulative effects of urbanization because detected carbon disulfide in samples collected from the White the aquatic organisms are affected by long-term exposure to a River in and upstream from the study area, including at the variety of environmental changes. The biological condition of intakes for the Indianapolis Water Company (Indiana Depart- these streams cannot be attributed only to effects from CSOs ment of Environmental Management, 2000). because the streams are affected to some extent by all pollutant sources entering them. In March and July 2000, Indiana Department of Natural Many stream biota complete most or all of their life cycles Resources (DNR) biologists completed surveys of the affected in the water, thereby serving as continuous monitors of environ- part of the river and began restocking efforts in April. Nearly Introduction 3

86˚19'35" 86˚04'36"

Williams

Geist Reservoir Williams Creek HAMILTON COUNTY 39˚55'23" 03351000 Nora Creek

River

e Eagle hit Creek W 03352500 Reservoir

Creek ll a F E agle

Creek

Fall s Run 03353500 Creek g ue P o 03353120 Pogues Run INDIANAPOLIS Morris Pleasant Run Creek Creek an Eagle 03353000 B e Creek Pleasant Run Lick

03353611 Harding S

ta Stout t

e Buck

D i tc MARION COUNTY h

03361850

Wicker SHELBY COUNTY Buck 39˚37'57" JOHNSON COUNTY MORGAN COUNTY Creek Creek

EXPLANATION Waverly INDIANA R iv e r Area serviced by combined sewers

County boundary Basin boundary Low-head dam ite h Nora Sampling site and name W 03353120 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station and identification number

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1983 0 5 10 MILES Albers equal area projection Standard parallels 29˚ 30' and 45˚ 30', central meridian -86˚ 0 5 10 KILOMETERS Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

Figure 1. 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. 4 Biological Assessment of Streams in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001

2,000 adult game fish and 63,000 channel catfish (Ictalurus compilation of fish data was used for comparison with the fish punctatus) fingerlings were released in the river in spring 2000. data collected from 1999–2001. In October and November 2000, more than 475,000 fish were released at several sites between Anderson and Indianapolis. Description of Study Area More than 100,000 additional adult and juvenile fish were released between April and November 2001. Restocked species Incorporated with Marion County, Indianapolis is the cap- included channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), flathead catfish ital of Indiana and the largest city in the State. The 2000 Census (Pylodictis olivaris), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001) reported a population of 860,454 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), rock bass (Am- for Marion County. Approximately 41 mi2 of Indianapolis are bloplites rupestris), bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus), redear serviced by a combined-sewer overflow (CSO) system. In this sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), and white crappie (Pomoxis system, 134 CSOs discharge into the White River or its tributar- annularis) (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 2003). ies—23 CSOs discharge directly into the White River, 27 discharge to Fall Creek, 5 to Eagle Creek, 49 to Pleasant Run, 3 to Purpose and Scope Bean Creek, 24 to Pogues Run, 2 to State Ditch, and 1 to Lick Creek (fig. 1) (City of Indianapolis, 2000). This report describes the abundance and diversity of Indianapolis is in the central climate division (National benthic-invertebrate and fish communities from 12 sites in the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2001) and has a Indianapolis Metropolitan Area in Indiana, based on data col- humid continental climate (Newman, 1966). The average ° lected during 1999–2001. Six sites were sampled on the White annual temperature is about 53 F, and average monthly temper- ° ° River and an additional six sites were sampled on selected trib- atures range from about 27 F in January to about 75 F in July. utaries in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. Results of the Precipitation averages about 41 in. a year. Annual runoff at the study provide an assessment of stream health in this urban area. study sites ranged from about 12 in. to almost 16 in. during The data complement water-chemistry data collected by DPW the study (Stewart and others, 2000, 2001, 2002). The study in the study area. area is encompassed by the Eastern Corn Belt Plains ecoregion (Woods and others, 1998) which extends from Indiana into The methods of study are described and the collected data Ohio and Michigan. Crop production (corn and soybeans) is are presented in tables and graphs to compare changes at and the predominant land use in rural areas outside of Indianapolis among sites over the 3-year study period. The report evaluates (Simon and Dufour, 1997). data, using indices to assess the general health of the aquatic The drainage area of the White River above the confluence environment. Habitat conditions at sample sites are evaluated, 2 using a Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) developed of the East Fork White River is 5,372 mi . At the most downstream White River study site (Waverly, near river mile 211), by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). 2 Benthic-invertebrate communities are assessed with the the drainage area is 2,026 mi (Hoggatt, 1975). The study extends upstream on the White River to a site near river mile Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) Index, 2 Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI), and Invertebrate Community 248 (Nora), which has a drainage area of 1,219 mi (Hoggatt, Index (ICI). Fish communities are assessed with Indices of 1975). Biotic Integrity (IBIs). Biological indices are described, and The USGS operates seven streamflow-gaging stations in the results of the analyses are presented. Historical benthic- the study area (fig. 1). Streamflow at those sites generally was invertebrate data from three USGS studies conducted between low during the study period. Annual mean discharge during the 1981 and 1996 are compared with data collected for this study, study and annual mean discharge for the period of record at along with fish data previously collected in the White River those sites are shown in table 1 (page 6). Annual mean dis- Basin. charge during the study was 52 to 75 percent of the annual mean discharge for the period of record at USGS streamflow-gaging stations in the study area. Low discharges recorded for the 2000 Previous Work water year were 13 to 64 percent of the annual mean discharge for the period of record. Detailed information on streamflow- Benthic-invertebrate studies by the USGS were conducted gaging stations is provided in the annual USGS Water-Data intermittently since 1981 at sites in the study area. From 1981 Report for Indiana (Stewart and others, 2000, 2001, 2002). through 1987, three sites were sampled once a year (Crawford and others, 1992). From 1994 through 1996, 21 sites were sampled from two to six times and generally twice a year (Renn, Methods of Investigation 1998; Voelker and Renn, 2000). The data from these studies were used to compare changes in the benthic-invertebrate com- This study involved sampling at 12 sites in the White River munity over a 20-year period (1981–2001). Basin. Six sites were on the White River, and six were on No USGS fish studies have been done in the study area; tributaries within the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. The however, Crawford and others (1996) presented a compilation selection of sampling sites is described. Physical habitats of fish species historically found in the White River Basin. That were evaluated at sampling sites, using a QHEI which also Methods of Investigation 5 is described. The collection and identification of benthic in- the aquatic food chain. Because of advances in taxonomic vertebrates and fish are discussed, as are the biological indices identification and increased knowledge of their tolerance to used to describe the condition of the benthic-invertebrate environmental and pollution stresses, benthic invertebrates communities. have become excellent indicators of the biological integrity of streams and rivers (Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Selection of Sampling Sites 1989). Benthic invertebrates were collected twice a year from Eleven sites originally were sampled for benthic inverte- 1999 through 2001 during relatively steady-state, low-stream- brates and fish (fig. 1, table 2). These sites were selected to flow conditions. Information collected included sampling-site be coincident with DPW water-quality monitoring sites. In name, USGS sampling-site identification number, date and addition, sites where the USGS previously collected benthic- time of sampling, water temperature, specific conductance, invertebrate data were selected to provide continuity of data and dissolved-oxygen concentration, and pH at the time of sam- historical comparison among sites. pling. Benthic-invertebrate samples were collected in May and During the first year of data collection, the Buck Creek site September, during periods when most species are expected to was added during the second round of sampling for benthic be in early-age aquatic stages prior to their adult terrestrial invertebrates after the Pogues Run site was found to be dry. The stage. At each study site, samples were collected in habitat areas site was selected to represent biological conditions on a stream where the greatest diversity and abundance of benthic inverte- draining the southeastern part of Marion County. Buck Creek is brates were expected to occur (generally riffle areas). At the in the drainage area of the East Fork White River. During the Morris and Harding sites on the White River, riffles were not second year of sampling (2000), the Buck Creek site was incor- present or not accessible, and the best available habitat (cobble porated into the study plan. All of the sampling sites (fig. 1) or riprap in silty and somewhat pooled conditions) was sam- except the Buck Creek tributary site were near DPW water- pled. Three samples were collected at each study site because quality-monitoring sites and at sites where the USGS previ- this is the recommended minimum needed to determine the ously collected benthic-invertebrate data. diversity and abundance of benthic invertebrates at a site (Britton and Greeson, 1988). Benthic-invertebrate samples were collected by use of Physical Habitats Surber samplers that had a 0.0929-m2 sample grid and a collection-net bag-mesh opening of 210 µm. This mesh size has been Basin and habitat characteristics were reported at each recommended for collecting benthic invertebrates (Britton and study site, using parameters developed by the Ohio EPA (1989) Greeson, 1988). Surber samplers were placed on the streambed, to compute a QHEI score for each site (table 3 at back of report). and all the large surface materials within the sample grid were The QHEI is a physical-habitat index designed to provide an removed and placed in buckets for subsequent scrubbing. The empirical, quantified evaluation of the general stream-habitat area within the sample grid was scrubbed to remove benthic characteristics important to the biological communities of invertebrates attached to the substrate or embedded in the upper streams (Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 1989). The inch of the streambed sediments. Benthic invertebrates were QHEI is an index tool similar to the IBI and ICI in which preserved in 10-percent formalin and shipped to a contract selected characteristics, or metrics, are rated and then combined laboratory for identification. into a total score. Higher scores indicate better habitat con- Benthic invertebrates were identified to the lowest tax- ditions for biotic communities. The maximum score possible onomic group possible—often genus and species. The total is 100. Stream characteristics include drainage area, land number of organisms, number of distinct taxa, and EPT Index use, mean discharge, stream gradient, and basin description. scores were summarized for each of the three samples collected Habitat characteristics include substrate; silt cover; extent of at each site. The results of the three samples were combined substrate embeddedness; instream cover; channel morphology; to determine the EPT, HBI, and ICI scores for the site. riparian zone; bank erosion; and pool, riffle, and run informa- The total number of distinct taxa for each sampling site tion. Scoring of these characteristics was used to arrive at was calculated by resolving ambiguous taxa, then summing a QHEI score for each site. the unique taxa for each sample. For the purpose of this report, ambiguous taxa are those not identified to species; they were Benthic Invertebrates counted as a distinct taxon only if there were no reported individuals from the next-highest common taxonomic level. Benthic invertebrates are used to assess stream quality Possible reasons for inability to classify to species may be that because they form less-mobile communities than fish and the organism was damaged or only partially present in the sam- they are collected easily with relatively inexpensive methods. ple, or that the organism was at a life stage that could not be Benthic invertebrates can occupy all stream habitats, have classified to a lower taxon. a wide range of feeding preferences, and react quickly to en- The EPT Index for each sampling site was calculated from vironmental changes. The invertebrates are a major food source the number of taxa in the orders of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, for fish and other aquatic species and occupy the middle of and Trichoptera. The EPT Index summarizes taxa richness 6 Biological Assessment of Streams in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001 /s, 3 8.13 91.5 155 289 1,134 1,433 1,821 Annual mean discharge 8.87 81.9 20.8 17 209 317 for the period of record 1,219 1,635 1,660 1,898 1,947 2,026 Drainage area (square miles) Annual mean discharge, in ft 1930–2001 1931–2001 1992–2001 1968–2001 1939–2001 1930–2001 1960–2001 others, 2000, 2001, 2002). Period of record 1.9 1.2 1.3 1.2 2.5 4.8 6.63 /s 247.9 230.3 227.9 226.2 220.2 211.0 3 70.6 upstream 960 104 253 from mouth 2001 1,140 1,442 River-mile location 5.19 42.8 20.2 507 621 770 143 2000 Water year Water 860620 861026 861030 861209 861417 861518 855656 861148 861040 860921 860825 861020 (ddmmss) Longitude 5.96 60.1 116 243 1999 Annual mean discharge, in ft 1,084 1,261 1,544 Latitude 395435 394515 394505 394234 393827 393402 393749 394411 394720 394358 394617 395537 (ddmmss) 2 4.1 7.1 9.2 7.9 247.9 229.2 226.3 River-mile location upstream from mouth Sampling-site identification number 03351000 394505086103001 03353193 394234086120900 393827086141701 03353660 393749086030501 394613086114700 03352875 394358086092100 03352990 03351072 number 03351000 03353000 03353611 03361850 03353500 03352500 03353120 station-identification U.S. Geological Survey type. BOLD ] Sampling-site name Generating Station at Indianapolis, Ind. , Ind. Street at Indianapolis, Ind. , Ind. Street at Indianapolis, Ind. Road near Southport, Ind. 1 Street at Indianapolis, Ind. th Stout U.S. Geological Survey Street at Indianapolis, Ind. Nora streamflow-gaging station th at 96 Morris Harding Wicker Waverly near South Meridian Street at Indianapolis, Ind. at Raymond Street Indianapolis, Ind. at Vermont Street Indianapolis, Ind. 1.2 mi downstream from Maze Road near Brookfield, Ind. at 16 Discharge at U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana (from Stewart and Benthic-invertebrate and fish-community sampling sites in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001.

. . Short name used throughout text to identify sites is in Site formerly identified as U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station number 03353000. /s, cubic foot per second] 1 2 3 Table 1 [ft White River near Nora, IN White River at Indianapolis, IN White River at Stout Generating Station Indianapolis, IN Buck Creek at Acton, IN Eagle Creek at Indianapolis, IN Fall Creek at Millersville, IN Pleasant Run at Arlington Avenue Indianapolis, IN Table 2 [ddmmss, degrees minutes seconds; mi, mile White River White River near White River at White River at White River below White River at White River at Tributaries Buck Creek Eagle Creek Fall Creek Pleasant Run Pogues Run Williams Creek Methods of Investigation 7 within these pollution-sensitive insect groups; the index score spot, leeches, fungus, ich, blindness, parasites, and popeye) increases with improved water-quality conditions. If identifica- were recorded. Black spot is not discussed in this report because tion to species was not possible and similar organisms from the its occurrence is a function of the presence of snails and not next-highest classification were present, the assumption was solely related to environmental degradation (Simon and made that those unidentified specimens were the same as those Dufour, 1997). Typically, only the first 30 individual fish of identified to lower taxa. each species collected at a site were measured and weighed. A modified HBI (Hilsenhoff, 1987) was calculated, using After that, the number of individuals of a species and their total the number of individuals in each family and a tolerance value weight were recorded before they were returned to the stream. for that family, summing the products, and dividing that sum by Fish not identified to species level in the field were identi- the total number of arthropods in the sample (which include the fied in the USGS laboratory in Indianapolis. Voucher speci- classes Insecta, Crustacea, and Arachnoidea). This index was mens (representatives of species collected from each sampling developed to assess organic pollution through its effects on reach) either were photographed or preserved in 10-percent benthic-invertebrate communities. Possible index scores range formalin and stored at the USGS laboratory in Indianapolis. from 0 to 10 and increase with decreasing water-quality condi- Verification of the voucher specimens was done by Dr. Terry tions. Keiser of Ohio Northern University. Taxonomic nomenclature The ICI was developed by the Ohio EPA to provide a followed that established by Robins and others (1991). Detailed descriptive statistic that can be used to compare sites within fish data were collected at each site, including date sampled, a study area. The ICI consists of 10 structural and func- method of collection, and electrofishing time in seconds. Data tional community metrics that describe the benthic-invertebrate collected for individual specimens included name, voucher community sampled. Those metrics include total number of type, total and standard lengths, weight, and any observations taxa present; number of mayfly (Ephemeroptera), caddisfly of external anomalies on the fish. (Trichoptera), and dipteran taxa present; percent mayfly Two IBIs—the Ohio IBI and Indiana IBI—were used to (Ephemeroptera), caddisfly (Trichoptera), Tribe Tanytarsini evaluate the fish data for this study. Both IBIs were developed midge composition, other dipteran and non-insect composition, for the Eastern Corn Belt Plains ecoregion, which encompasses and tolerant organisms; and total number of EPT taxa. The ICI the study area and extends into a large part of Ohio. The Ohio was calculated for each site by combining the data from the IBI incorporates the 12 community metrics proposed by Karr three samples collected. (1981). The metrics used in the Indiana IBI (Simon and Dufour, 1997) for analysis of surface-water designated-use attainment generally were developed from the metrics used by the State Fish of Ohio (Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 1989). These metrics include species richness, composition, presence/ Fish communities were sampled annually, following absence of indicator species, trophic and reproductive func- guidelines established by the USGS National Water-Quality tions, and overall abundance and/or individual conditions Assessment (NAWQA) Program (Meador and others, 1993). (Simon and Dufour, 1997). IBIs can be considered a family Fish sampling was done at most sites during July of each year. of related indices rather than a single index. Differences be- Two sites on the White River—Nora and Waverly—were tween the Indiana and Ohio IBIs are related to how specific sampled in November 1999 and September 2000, respectively. metrics might respond to a referenced condition. In Indiana, Two tributary study sites—Fall Creek and Buck Creek—were metrics were developed on a regional basis (Simon and Dufour, sampled in August 2001. Fish-community data were used to 1997). In some cases, the Ohio metrics were more stringent, or calculate IBI scores developed by Indiana (Simon and Dufour, methods for collecting fish (such as minimum distance sam- 1997) and Ohio (Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 1987) pled) resulted in differences in metric curves between the two for the Eastern Corn Belt Plains ecoregion. IBIs (Simon and Dufour, 1997). Nearly identical stream reaches were sampled each year, Because the IBIs are sensitive to differences in collection with minor variations based on measurements and Global Posi- method and equipment, different expectations were developed tioning System (GPS) data collected each time fish sampling for headwater streams (drainage area less than 20 mi2), wade- was done. Each IBI was calculated for the actual reach length able rivers (drainage areas 20 to 1,000 mi2), and boat sites sampled; however, for the purpose of discussion in the text and (drainage areas greater than 1,000 mi2). Two study sites, for locational information on the site maps, a mean reach length Pogues Run and Williams Creek, were considered as headwater was calculated for each site. sites; Buck Creek, Eagle Creek, Fall Creek, and Pleasant Run Fish were collected with pulsed direct-current electro- were calculated with metrics for wadeable sites. IBI scores for shocking techniques. Backpack or barge-mounted shocking the six study sites on the White River were calculated as boat equipment was used at wadeable streams, and shocking boats sites. were used at nonwadeable sites. In the field, fish were identified The IBIs rate different aspects of the fish community, by common name, weighed, and measured for length. The fish based on quantitative expectations of what constitutes a fish were inspected and any external anomalies (such as deformities, community of high biotic integrity within a particular region or eroded fins, lesions and ulcers, tumors, anchor worms, black habitat type. IBI scores are based on fish-population informa- 8 Biological Assessment of Streams in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 1999–2001 tion to determine water-quality conditions relative to index sampling and fish electroshocking also are described for sites. The IBI is based on the assumption that different fish exist each site. in degraded waters, compared to waters that have not been The QHEI scores are shown in figure 2, and habitat degraded. The IBI combines measures of fish-community struc- characteristics are listed in table 3 (at back of report). Benthic- ture, function, and health; scores are assigned to the sampled invertebrate data are summarized in tables 4 and 5 (at back of community, relative to a reference community. With both IBIs, report); EPT, HBI, and ICI scores are presented in figures 3, 4, metric scores are combined; the higher the result, the healthier and 5, respectively. Information summarizing fish data are the aquatic ecosystem. Interpretation of the IBI metrics incorpo- shown in tables 6, 7, and 8 (at back of report); scores for the rates setting quantitative criteria along with some professional Ohio and Indiana IBIs are presented in figures 6 and 7, respec- judgment (Simon and Dufour, 1997). Because of this, the inter- tively. Site-specific data for the benthic invertebrates are in pretation of the index scoring should be limited to observing tables 9 through 90; site-specific data for the fish are in tables change with time at each study site or noting relative differ- 91 through 125. These tables are in the appendix to this report. ences among sites in the study area.

White River near Nora, Ind. Biological Assessment of Conditions at Study Sites The Nora site (fig. 8), at 86th Street in Indianapolis, is at river mile 247.9; the drainage area is 1,219 mi2 (Hoggatt, 1975). The annual mean discharge at USGS streamflow-gaging In this section of the report, each study site is described by station 03351000 (fig. 1) is 1,134 ft3/s for the period of record location, habitat, and biology. Maps show the location of the 1930 through 2001 (table 1). The annual mean discharge during study sites, and discharge is described if a USGS streamflow- the study period was 1,084 ft3/s for 1999, 507 ft3/s for 2000, and gaging station is at or near the site (table 1). Habitat conditions, 960 ft3/s for 2001 (Stewart and others, 2000, 2001, 2002). based on the QHEI, and results of the benthic-invertebrate Benthic invertebrates were collected upstream from the station

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 QHEI score 30 20 10 0

Nora Morris Stout Harding Wicker Waverly Fall Creek Buck Creek Eagle Creek Pleasant RunPogues Run Williams Creek

White River sites Tributary sites

Figure 2. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) scores for sites sampled in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, Indiana, 2000. Biological Assessment of Conditions at Study Sites 9

White River sites 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 EPT Index score 4 2

0 Zero Nora Morris Harding Stout Wicker Waverly