Full Bio

Chris O. Yoder has been the Research Director of MBI since 2001 with 46 years of professional work experience. He is involved in the development and application of biological assessments and biological criteria, including the development of methods for rivers and streams, wetlands, and lakes. He is presently involved in numerous projects that employ monitoring and assessment, environmental indicators, and biological assessment. He has conducted reviews of 27 state and 3 federal bioassessment programs and has advised EPA, states, municipalities, and watershed organizations about the development and implementation of biological criteria and water quality standards. He was formerly a senior research associate at the Ohio University Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs (2000-7) and Manager of the Ecological Assessment Section at Ohio EPA (1976-2000). He is a lead instructor for the Qualified Data Collector training as part of the Ohio Credible Data program, serves on a U.S. EPA working group for biocriteria and bioassessments, and served on a National Research Council committee (2001) and a General Accounting Office panel (2012) concerning the role of science in TMDLs. He has authored more than 70 technical publications and more than 300 oral presentations. Current research includes biological and water quality assessment, water quality standards (WQS), Clean Water Act (CWA) policies, and assisting state, and non-governmental programs to improve their understanding and use of WQS and monitoring information. He received a B.S. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University in 1973, and a M.A. in Zoology from DePauw University in 1976.

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Latest Publications

Nov 16th, 2016

Electrofishing

Chris O Yoder

Nov 16th, 2016

New England Rivers Fish Assemblage Study Completed!

Chris O Yoder

Nov 29th, 2017

A Retrospective on the Clean Water Act in Ohio: Is Today As Good As It Gets?

Chris O Yoder

Nov 16th, 2016

Restoring River Herring in Maine

Chris O Yoder

Jun 29th, 2018

Pollution History and Biological Recovery of the Scioto River Published by OWEA

Chris O Yoder

Feb 6th, 2020

Training is Important... Very Important!

Chris O Yoder

Aug 1st, 2018

Jim Karr Visits MBI

Chris O Yoder

Jul 14th, 2020

Best Wishes to John Dattilo!

Chris O Yoder

Mar 19th, 2013

Elkhart Area Rivers Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Summary 2012

Chris O Yoder Martin J Knapp Edward T Rankin Vickie L Gordon

Oct 30th, 2013

MBI/2013-6-8

Biological and Water Quality Study of the Little Miami River and Tributaries 2012: Hamilton County, Ohio

Chris O Yoder Martin J Knapp Edward T Rankin Vickie L Gordon Jack T Freda

Jan 24th, 2012

Assessment of the Fish Assemblages and Habitat Quality in the Lower Black River 2010-2012: Lacustuary Portion in Lorain, OH

Chris O Yoder Edward T Rankin

Jun 30th, 2013

Upper Mississippi River Clean Water Act Monitoring Strategy 2013-2022 Part 1: Options and Considerations

Chris O Yoder

Aug 5th, 2005

Use of Biological Information to Better Define Designated Aquatic Life Uses in State and Tribal Water Quality Standards

Chris O Yoder

Oct 30th, 2014

MBI/2011-6-6

Assessment of the Biological Assemblage Condition of Small Headwater Streams in Ohio

Chris O Yoder

Dec 31st, 2015

MBI/2015-3-3

Development of Methods and Designs for the Assessment of the Fish Assemblages of Non-Wadeable Rivers in New England

Chris O Yoder Edward T Rankin

Jun 8th, 2013

MBI/2008-11-2

Maine Rivers Fish Assemblage Assessment: Index of Biotic Integrity for Non-wadeable Rivers. (Addendum December 31, 2015).

Chris O Yoder Edward T Rankin

Sep 1st, 2011

Improving Water Quality Standards and Assessment Approaches for the Upper Mississippi River

Chris O Yoder Edward T Rankin Vickie L Gordon

Preliminary Analysis of Thresholds for Determining Aquatic Life Use Attainment Status in the Upper Mississippi River Mainstem

Aug 15th, 2011

MBI/2011-5-1

Preliminary Analysis of Thresholds for Determining Aquatic Life Use Attainment Status in the Upper Mississippi River Mainstem

Chris O Yoder Edward T Rankin

Aug 15th, 2011

MBI/2011-5-1

Development of a Biological Condition Gradient for the Upper Mississippi River and 'Synthetic' Historical Fish Community

Chris O Yoder Edward T Rankin

Jan 30th, 2020

Watershed Monitoring and Bioassessment Plan for the Milwaukee River Basin

Chris O Yoder

Jun 21st, 2021

MBI/2020‐8‐12

Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the North Branch Chicago River

Chris O Yoder

Jun 21st, 2021

MBI/2020-2-2

Biological and Water Quality Assessment of Upper Des Plaines River: Year 2 Rotation 2018

Chris O Yoder

Oct 12th, 2022

MBI/2022-4-6

Biological and Water Quality Assessment the Middle Scioto River, Lower Olentangy River, and Selected Olentangy Tributaries 2020

Chris O Yoder

integrated Prioritization System (IPS) for Northeastern Illinois

Aug 7th, 2023

MBI/2020-5-10

Integrated Prioritization System (IPS) for Northeastern Illinois: Technical Documentation and Atlas of Stressor Relationships

Chris O Yoder

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

Chris O Yoder

Jun 24th, 2024

Watershed Monitoring and Bioassessment Plan for the Central Ohio Watersheds

Chris O Yoder

Dec 17th, 2024

MBI/2024-3-1

Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Upper Des Plaines River 2022

Chris O Yoder

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

Chris O Yoder

cover photo for Columbus 2024 Final Report

Nov 12th, 2025

Biological and Water Quality Assessment of the Roberts Millikin Ditch, Barbee Ditch, and Dry Run Subwatersheds 2024

Chris O Yoder