Vermillion River Watershed Stressor Identification Update

Water monitoring is essential to determining whether lakes and streams meet water quality standards designed to ensure that waters are fishable and swimmable. The stressor identification (SID) process looks at specifically why fish and bug communities are suffering. The purpose of Cycle 2 (C2) SID work is to perform SID in a way that supports follow-up watershed restoration and protection strategy (WRAPS) efforts and local water planning and implementation efforts, with an emphasis on meeting local partner needs, protection of biotic integrity, and identifying changes in biotic condition. The Vermillion River Watershed has many opportunities for recreation such as fishing and canoeing. Identifying impairments and stressors help guide where to implement restoration best management practices and where to protect healthy streams that will help to preserve them for future generations.