Fig. 20. Stream Quality Index Map

The Stream Quality Index (SQI) combines biological, physical, and chemical data to provide an overall picture of stream quality. The SQI assigns stream sites to one of four condition categories: healthy and unstressed, healthy and resilient, impacted by unknown stress, or impacted and stressed. These categories are based on empirical stressor-response models that describe the likelihood of biological alteration with observed chemistry and habitat stressors. All data used to calibrate and validate the tool are from the Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) regional watershed monitoring program in coastal southern California, which includes data from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. This is a copy of the file available for download on the SQI dashboard. Download the data from the dashboard for the most recent data.