Highlighting engaging educational articles on water science, nature, and species, along with important MBI news.
Feb 5th, 2026
2026 Big & Little Darby Creek Conservation
Dec 9th, 2025
MBI Completes a New and Revised “Ohio Stream Guide!”
Nov 3rd, 2025
Get to know our 2025 Crews
Mar 17th, 2023
A Snapshot of “Ancient” Mussels in Central Ohio
Jun 25th, 2021
Shining Star Roger Thoma Retires
Jun 8th, 2021
Best of luck, Blair!
Oct 31st, 2017
Disco Wasn't the Only Bad Thing about the 70s
Publications
Explore our newest educational content about freshwater ecosystems, fascinating species, and more.
Feb 5th, 2026
2026 Big & Little Darby Creek Conservation
Dec 9th, 2025
MBI Completes a New and Revised “Ohio Stream Guide!”
Nov 12th, 2025
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Roberts Millikin Ditch, Barbee Ditch, and Dry Run Subwatersheds 2024
Nov 3rd, 2025
Get to know our 2025 Crews
Dec 23rd, 2024
MBI/2023-7-15
Relationships and Thresholds for Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Variables, Nutrient Effects, and Biological Attributes in Northeast Illinois Rivers and Streams
Dec 17th, 2024
MBI/2024-3-1
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River 2022
Browse our complete library of publications organized by type - from educational articles to comprehensive technical research.
Need help with technical terminology? Our glossary provides clear definitions of key terms used in freshwater science and environmental research.
Streambed substrate refers to the type of substance on the bottom of the stream. The cQHEI and QHEI measure the size of the substrates (e.g., from fine sediment various sizes of gravels and cobbles, up to boulders). Both cQHEI include measure of smothering by sands and other fines and from siltation.
The condition that approximates natural, unimpacted, to best attainable conditions (biological, chemical, physical, etc.) for a waterbody. Reference condition is best determined by collecting measurements at a sufficient number of sites in a similar waterbody class or region under minimally or least disturbed conditions (by human activity), if they exist. Since undisturbed or minimally disturbed conditions may be difficult or impossible to find in some states, least disturbed conditions, combined with historical information, models or other methods may be used to approximate reference condition as long as the departure from natural or ideal is understood. Reference condition is used as a benchmark to establish numeric biocriteria.
Any activity of natural or human causes that alters the natural state of the environment and its attributes and which can occur at or across many spatial and temporal scales.
Technical Reports
Comprehensive reports detailing our research findings, data analyses, and environmental assessments.
Nov 12th, 2025
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Roberts Millikin Ditch, Barbee Ditch, and Dry Run Subwatersheds 2024
Dec 23rd, 2024
MBI/2023-7-15
Relationships and Thresholds for Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Variables, Nutrient Effects, and Biological Attributes in Northeast Illinois Rivers and Streams
Dec 17th, 2024
MBI/2024-3-1
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River 2022
Jun 24th, 2024
Watershed Monitoring and Bioassessment Plan for the Central Ohio Watersheds
Mar 14th, 2024
MBI/2023-12-12
Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Middle Scioto River, Lower Olentangy River, and Lower Olentangy Tributaries 2022
Aug 7th, 2023
MBI/2020-5-10
Integrated Prioritization System (IPS) for Northeastern Illinois: Technical Documentation and Atlas of Stressor Relationships
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