Technical Bulletin No. 0481: A Comparison of Four Procedures for Determining Streambed Substrate Composition

Substrate composition is an important variable in assessing stream suitability for salmonid habitat. Several methods of determining the percent of fines in streambeds have been developed including visual estimates, freeze-core methods, and other physical sampling methods. This technical bulletin reviews experience gained by NCASI staff during several projects designed to evaluate the importance of fine sediments in streambed substrate.