Water quality will be examined to determine relationships between land and water use within the watershed and what effects are seen in the river. By evaluating current and past condition, forecasts can be made about future risks associated with land and water use decisions. A report describing the management goals for the Mid-Snake River watershed and the analysis plan for the assessment will be available upon completion of the analysis described above. Sediment loading from human activity, such as the visible plume being released from this fish hatchery, have direct ecological effects on the riverine community. The sediment chokes the stream, narrowing the channel and forming sand bars that reduce the flow of water.
Sediment deposition makes the riverbed unsuitable for indigenous invertebrate and fish populations.
The Mid-Snake River Ecological Risk Assessment will help resource managers predict how potential changes in land use and river flow will affect the biological communities in the watershed. This will enable resource managers to make decisions based on more information.