Biological Monitoring Working Party

BMWP Results


Introduction
 

BMWP scores for the locations sampled by S.O.C.S. can be viewed below:

East Mascalls
Scaynes Hill - Main river
Scaynes Hill - Canal Cut
Sheffield Park
Barcombe Mills
Hempstead Mill - Uckfield
Stoneywish Country Park
Spatham Lane
Streat Lane
Swansyard Farm
Holmans railway bridge
Clapper's Bridge
Cooksbridge
Hamsey Road
Plumpton Mill
Ferrings Bridge
Longford Stream
Cinder Hill, Chailey
Ridgelands Lane - Newick
Longford Bridge
Pellingford Brook
Near Scaynes Hill
Scrase Stream
Lindfield
Great Bentley Stream
Brook Street, Cuckfield
Shortbridge Stream
Maresfield, Underhill
Shortbridge
Wellingham Lane
Lewes Winterbourne
Lewes Railwaylands
 
North End Stream, Hamsey Road, Hamsey
 
This sample was taken a short distance downstream from where we perform chemical tests each month on the quality of the water. We intend to carry out biological tests at this site on a regular basis to monitor the long term effects that water quality has on invertebrate life in the stream.
See the latest water quality test results for this location...

March 2010

A lower total score than in June 2009, but higher ASPT. The result indicates that the stream is healthy with a particular abundance of mayfly nymphs.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 9th March 2010
Grid Reference TQ41491376
Notes

Riffle and glide, open aspect, clay/gravel substrate, moderate flow.

Also netted in this sample. Water spider, water mites, empty Jenkins spire shell.
Biological quality rating B. Good biological quality
Water quality rating Very good
Species Group BMWP Score

Ephemeridae

Mayfly nymph 10

Leptophlebiidae

Mayfly nymph 10
Goeridae Cased caddis 10
Sericostomatidae Cased caddis 10
Leptoceridae Cased caddis 10
Calopterygidae Demoiselle 8
Limnephilidae Cased caddis 7
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Tipulidae Cranefly larvae 5
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis 5
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Dendrocoelidae Flatworm 5
Piscicolidae Fish leech 4
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Lymnaeidae Snail 3
Asellidae Hoglouse 3
Chironomidae Midge larvae 2
Oligochaetae Roundworms 1
Total Score 113
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 5.9


June 2009

Excellent result especially in view of the low flow conditions.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 21st June 2009
Grid Reference TQ41491376
Notes

Low flow

Also netted in this sample. Water cricket Velliidae
Biological quality rating B. Good biological quality
Water quality rating Very good
Species Group BMWP Score

Ephemeridae

Mayfly nymph 10

Leptophlebiidae

Mayfly nymph 10
Lepidostomatidae Cased caddis 10
Sericostomatidae Cased caddis 10
Leptoceridae Cased caddis 10
Calopterygidae Demoiselle 8
Limnephilidae Cased caddis 7
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Ancylidae River limpet 6
Gyrinidae Whirligig beetle larva 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Dytiscidae Diving beetle 5
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis 5
Tipulidae Crane fly 5
Planariidae Flatworm 5
Piscicolidae Fish leech 4
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Sphaeriidae Mussel 3
Glossiphoniidae

Leeches

3
Hydrobiidae Snail 3
Planorbiidae Snail 3
Asellidae Hoglouse 3
Chironomidae Midge larvae 2
Oligochaetae Roundworms 1
Total Score 133
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 5.5


September 2008

A good sample considering the proximity of the sewage treatment works.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 4th September 2008
Grid Reference TQ41491376
Notes

Moderate flow over stony riffle.

Also netted in this sample. 2 Bullheads, unidentified Dipteran larva
Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Good
Species Group BMWP Score

Leptoceridae

Cased caddis 10

Sericostomatidae

Cased caddis 10
Calopterygidae Demoiselle 8
Polycentropidae Caseless caddis 7
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis 5
Sialidae Alderfly 4
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Lymnaeidae Snail 3
Planorbiidae Snail 3
Glossiphoniidae

Leeches

3
Chironomidae Midge larvae 2
Total Score 75
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 5.4


May 2008

This is a satisfactory result for this stream.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 22nd May 2008
Grid Reference TQ41491376
Notes

Good flow over mostly gravel substrate. Shaded.

Also netted in this sample. 1 Bullhead, several water mites (Arrhenurus sp.), 1 limpet shell, 1 Planorbis shell, several empty Sericostomatid cases.
Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Very good
Species Group BMWP Score

Ephemeridae

Mayfly nymph 10

Leptophlebiidae

Mayfly nymph 10
Lepidostomatidae Cased caddis 10
Brachycentridae Cased caddis 10
Limnephilidae Cased caddis 7
Caenidae Mayfly nymphs 7
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Dytiscidae Diving beetle 5
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis 5
Piscicolidae Fish leech 4
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Erpobdellidae Leech 3
Sphaeriidae Mussel 3
Glossiphoniidae

Leeches

3
Chironomidae Midge larvae 2
Oligochaetae Worms 1
Total Score 100
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 5.56


August 2007

A BMWP Score of 63 is rated as fair biological quality but the ASPT rates as very good. Considering the abundance of some species, the lack of Mayflies and Caddis Flies was surprising.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 24th August 2007
Grid Reference TQ41491376
Notes

Good flow over mostly gravel substrate. Shaded.

Also netted in this sample. 1 Bullhead and a Ramshorn Snail shell.
Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Good
Species Group BMWP Score

Ephemeridae

Mayfly 10

Sericostomatidae

Caddis Fly 10

Calopterygidae

Demoiselle 8
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Sialidae Alder Fly 4
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Erpobdellidae Leech 3
Sphaeriidae Mussel 3
Asellidae

Hoglouse

3
Chironomidae Midge 2
Total Score 63
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 5.3


August 2006

This is a disappointing score and lower than that recorded in March this year.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 28th August 2006
Grid Reference TQ41351383
Notes Moderate flow – Sample from gravel riffle, light shade - downstream from Hamsey Road bridge.
Also netted in this sample. 1 Bullhead
Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Poor
Species Group BMWP Score
Limnephilidae Caddis Fly 7
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Hydropsychidae Caddis fly (caseless) 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Dendrocoelidae Flatworm (Dugesia tigrina) 5
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Glossiphoniidae Leech (Glossiphonia complanata) 3
Erpobdellidae Leech (Erpobdella testacea) 3
Sphaeriidae mussel (Sphaerium & Pisidium) 3
Hydrobiidae Snail 3
Asellidae

Hoglouse (Asellus aquaticus)

3
Chironomidae Midge 2
Oligochaeta Round worm - Tubifex 1
Total Score 55
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 3.9


March 2006

This score is significantly better than that recorded in October last year with a better ASPT. The flow of the stream has improved after recent rain making the habitat healthier for invertebrate life.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 9th March 2006
Grid Reference TQ41351383
Notes Moderate flow – Sample from gravel riffle downstream from Hamsey Road bridge.
Also netted in this sample. 1 Bullhead
1 empty caddis case – (Stenophylax)
Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Fair
Species Group BMWP Score
Sericostomatidae Cased caddis 10
Ephemerellidae Mayfly 10
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Ancylidae River limpet 6
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5
Hydropsychidae Caddis fly (caseless) 5
Elminthidae Riffle beetle 5
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Piscicola Fish leech 4
Glossiphoniidae Leech 3
Erpobdellidae Leech 3
Sphaeriidae mussel 3
Chironomidae Midge 2
Oligochaeta Tubifex 1
Total Score 67
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 4.8



October 2005

This sample shows there is plenty of life in this part of the stream but mainly Hoglice and diving beetles.  Also several Alder fly nymphs, which we hyave only found once before, also in the Northend Stream at Beechwood Lane.  The ASPT is equal to the lowest we have recorded.

Location North End Stream – Hamsey Road, Hamsey.
Date 5th October 2005
Grid Reference TQ41351383
Notes

Flow rate slow. Shaded. Substrate pure silt.

Also netted in this sample. -
Biological quality rating D. Poor biological quality
Water quality rating Poor
Species Group BMWP Score
Gammeridae Shrimp 6
Dytiscidae Diving beetle (adults & larva) 5
Hydropsychidae Caddis fly (caseless) 5
Baetidae Mayfly 4
Sialidae Alderfly 4
Glossiphoniidae Leech 3
Asellidae Hoglouse 3
Chironomidae Midge 2
Total Score 32
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 4.0