Since its beginnings in 1995, the Department of Environmental Services' Biomonitoring Program has continually expanded its assessment capabilities. The primary focus so far has been on wadeable streams, with numerous special projects in other habitats.

Monitoring activities taking place at most sites include:

• Collection and identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates
• Collection and identification of the resident fish community
• Assessment of riparian habitat and land uses
• Physical and chemical measurements for assessing water quality

Routine activities from 1997 to 2001 have resulted in the assessment of a total of 166 stations, with all major river basins having representative stations. Ideally, we will have biomonitoring station in each watershed. So far, 65 of the 109 watersheds in the state of New Hampshire are included. (Presently, some watersheds have more than one.)