The effects of sand dredging on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in two urban piedmont streams

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of in-stream dredging operations on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in urban streams. Two streams in DeKalb County, Georgia were studied: Peachtree Creek, containing an active dredge site, and South River, containing a proposed dredge site. For the purposes of this study, the undredged stream was supposed to serve as a reference stream. In each stream, we sampled four habitats (glides, pools, riffles, leaf packs) in multiple locations using standard bioassessment protocols. Metrics analyzed included taxa richness, community composition, functional feeding groups, and habit/behavior groups. Results suggest that South River could not serve as a reference for Peachtree Creek due to lower quality riffle habitat in South River. Results also suggest that the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in Peachtree Creek was not negatively impacted by dredging operations.