NWA Stream Team

The NWA chapter of Arkansas Master Naturalists support the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Stream Team program who's goal is “Stream Teams in Arkansas help control litter, work on stream bank stabilization projects, improve fish habitat, and monitor water quality” - AGFC.

This week Bella Vista has joined the list of area's around the state that are monitored by Arkansas Master Naturalists Stream Team members for water quality.

Stream teams are groups of citizens who adopt a stream or other body of water for the purpose of helping keep it clean and healthy.  By analysis of the macroinvertebrates (tiny little bugs) and chemistry of the water, the health of the stream can be determined.  Stream data is taken periodically and is sent to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

FYI: Why do we Study the Stream-Bottom Macroinvertebrates?

• They are an important part of the community of life found in and around a stream; and
• differ in their sensitivity to water pollution; and
• provide information about the quality of a stream over long periods of time; and
• are relatively easy to collect.