Bug Kick at Mill Creek Reveals Improving Water Quality
Submitted by Lin Wellford
Members of the Kings River Watershed Partnership invited biologist Sean Saunders, Region 1 Stream Team Facilitator and Coordinator with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, to conduct a Bug Kick Workshop along Mill Creek next to the Berryville Community Center.
Bug kicks are a standard bioassessment method of inventorying benthic macroinvertebrates — water-dwelling insects, larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks that spend all or part of their life cycle on the stream bottom. Because different species have varying tolerances to pollution, temperature, and sediment, their presence or absence serves as an accurate living report card on overall water quality.
Findings & Stream Health
The results of the Mill Creek bug kick were heartening: volunteers found crawdads, mayfly larvae, caddisfly casings, and darters (small native minnows). Biologist Saunders noted earmarks of a recovering waterway, including fresh watercress, stable canopy shade, and rocky riffles created by recently installed drop weirs.
Macroinvertebrate Identification Guide
Download the official Stream Team identification chart to identify aquatic invertebrates on your next stream exploration:
⤓ Download Macroinvertebrate Bug Kick Guide (PDF)
Benthic macroinvertebrate sensitivity categories
Caddisfly larva retrieved during kick sampling