Effects of Highway Construction on Sediment and Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Two Tributaries of the Lost River, West Virginia

Hedrick, Lara B.; Welsh, Stuart A.; Anderson, James T.

doi:10.1080/02705060.2007.9664817

Cited by 13 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In a study on another stream in the Lost River watershed, Hedrick et al (2007) found that complete removal of the streambed (i.e., degradation of 0.9 m of bed material), did not have a long-term effect on the benthic macroinvertebrate community. In a study of highway culvert construction and riffle habitat restoration within a small stream in Ontario, Barton (1977) reported recovery of macroinvertebrate species composition and abundance within a year after Tol Tolerance value.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Sedimentation was related to rainfall events, indicating that during much of the construction phase, management practices such as silt fencing and sediment ponds were adequate to control sedimentation. Several high flow events that occurred during construction affected stream bed and steam channel changes at other streams in the Lost River watershed (Hedrick et al, 2007). In addition, episodic events, where sediment fencing was compromised due to large boulder damage, were documented (Hedrick et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Several high flow events that occurred during construction affected stream bed and steam channel changes at other streams in the Lost River watershed (Hedrick et al, 2007). In addition, episodic events, where sediment fencing was compromised due to large boulder damage, were documented (Hedrick et al, 2007). The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) did implement silt fencing, sedimentation ponds, mulches, and grass seeding as BMPs to mitigate possible environmental impacts (Gillilan, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Often sediment ponds or fencing do not adequately control sedimentation during heavy rain events (Barrett et al, 1995a, b;Stevens et al, 2004;Hedrick et al, 2007). This can occur because storage capacity is inadequate or proper overflow is not installed (Alexander et al, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to highway construction in an Appalachian watershed

et al. 2010

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Highway construction in mountainous areas can result in sedimentation of streams, negatively impacting stream habitat, water quality, and biotic communities. We assessed the impacts of construction of a segment of Corridor H, a four-lane highway, in the Lost River watershed, West Virginia, by monitoring benthic macroinvertebrate communities and water quality, before, during, and after highway construction and prior to highway use at upstream and downstream sites from 1997 through 2007. Data analysis of temporal impacts of highway construction followed a BeforeAfter-Control-Impact (BACI) study design. Highway construction impacts included an increase in stream sedimentation during the construction phase. This was indicated by an increase in turbidity and total suspended solids. Benthic macroinvertebrate metrics indicated a community more tolerant during and after construction than in the period before construction. The percent of Chironomidae and the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) increased, while percent of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) decreased. Our 10-year study addressed short-term impacts of highway construction and found that impacts were relatively minimal. A recovery of the number of EPT taxa collected after construction indicated that the benthic macroinvertebrate community may be recovering from impacts of highway construction. However, this study only addressed a period of 3 years before, 3 years during, and 4 years post construction. Inferences cannot be made concerning the long-term impacts of the highway, highway traffic, runoff, and other factors associated with highway use. Continual monitoring of the watershed is necessary to determine if the highway has a continual impact on stream habitat, water quality, and biotic integrity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to highway construction in an Appalachian watershed

et al. 2010

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“…Once the core tube has been fully inserted, the sample is removed from the tube by hand and transferred to a sample bucket until the end of the core tube is reached. The McNeil core has been used to quantify increased fine sediment loading downstream from industrial activities such as coal mining operations (MacDonald and McDonald, 1987) and roads (Hedrick et al, 2007).…”

Section: Bulk Sampling: Mcneil Corermentioning

confidence: 99%

Fine Sediment Deposition at Forest Road Crossings: An Overview and Effective Monitoring Protocol

Rex¹,

Petticrew²

2011

Sediment Transport in Aquatic Environments

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The Impact of Fine Sediment on Macro‐invertebrates

Jones

Murphy

Collins

et al. 2011

River Research & Apps

393

369

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The sustainable use of water resources requires clear guidelines for the management of diffuse pollution inputs to rivers. Without informed guidelines, management decisions are unlikely to deliver cost-effective improvements in the quality of rivers as required by current water policy. Here, we review the evidence available for deriving improved guidelines on the loading of fine sediment to rivers based on the impact on macro-invertebrates. The relationship between macro-invertebrates and fine sediments is poorly defined. Studies of the impacts of fine sediment on macro-invertebrates have been undertaken at various scales, which has an influence on the range of responses displayed and the reliability of the results obtained; results obtained from investigations at smaller scales may not manifest at the scale required to manage rivers and vice versa. Many of the identified effects of increased loading of fine sediment on macro-invertebrates occur as a consequence of deposition on the river bed, yet many current management guidelines are based on suspended sediment targets. On this basis, existing water quality guidelines for sediment management are unlikely to be appropriate.

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Effects of Highway Construction on Sediment and Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Two Tributaries of the Lost River, West Virginia

Cited by 13 publications

References 11 publications

Response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to highway construction in an Appalachian watershed

Response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to highway construction in an Appalachian watershed

Fine Sediment Deposition at Forest Road Crossings: An Overview and Effective Monitoring Protocol

The Impact of Fine Sediment on Macro‐invertebrates

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