Revised Page: Annual Update 2003
  Introduction to the Fresh Waters Chapter
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Note that the data published in the 2002 State of the Nation’s Ecosystems Report as well as the 2003 and 2005 Web-Only Updates have been superseded by the 2008 Report and thus should be used with caution. For the most recent data, purchase the 2008 Report from Island Press.

Can we report trends? Are there other useful reference points?

System Dimensions Updated
Partial Data Available Extent of Freshwater Ecosystems What is the area of lakes and wetlands, and the length of streams, rivers, and their stream bank (riparian) areas? Some trends  
Partial Data Available Altered Freshwater Ecosystems How much of the nation’s lakes, wetlands, streams, and riparian areas has been significantly altered? Current data only  

Chemical and Physical Conditions Updated
Partial Data Available Phosphorus in Lakes, Reservoirs and Large Rivers How much phosphorus is there in lakes, reservoirs, and large rivers? Current data only, federal limit  
Nutrients in Fresh Waters: Additional indicators may be found in the core national indicators chapter, as well as in the forest, farmlands, grassland/shrubland, and urban/suburban chapters.
Chemical Contamination in Fresh Waters: Indicators dealing with chemical contamination in fresh waters may be found in the core national indicators chapter and in the farmland and urban/suburban chapters.
Data Available Changing Stream Flows How many streams have had major changes in the size or timing of their lowest or highest flows since the 1930s and 1940s? Trends  
Data Inadequate Water Clarity How clear are lakes in the United States? No data reported  

Biological Components Updated
Partial Data Available At-Risk Native Species How many freshwater species are at different levels of risk of extinction? Current data only, regional comparison  
Partial Data Available Non-Native Species How many non-native species are found in watersheds throughout the United States? Current data only, regional comparison  
Partial Data Available Animal Deaths and Deformities How many die-offs of waterfowl, fish, mammals, and amphibians occur? How common are amphibian deformities? Trends, regional comparison  
Data Inadequate Status of Freshwater Animal Communitites What is the condition of communities of fish and bottom-dwelling animals in the nation’s streams? No data reported  
Partial Data Available At-Risk Freshwater Plant Communities How many wetland and stream bank plant communities are rare and thus potentially at risk? Current data only, regional  
Indicator Development Needed Stream Habitat Quality What is the quality of the habitat in the nation’s streams? No data reported  

Human Uses Updated
Data Available Water Withdrawals How much fresh water do people withdraw, and what do they use it for? Trends 2005
Data Inadequate Groundwater Levels Are groundwater levels changing? Are they increasing or decreasing and at what rate? No data reported  
Data Available Waterborne Human Disease Outbreaks How often do people get sick from drinking or swimming in contaminated water? Trends 2003
2005
Data Inadequate Freshwater Recreational Activities How much recreation takes place in the nation’s fresh waters? No data reported  

Data Available All necessary data Available Partial Data Available Partial data available Data Inadequate Data not adequate for national reporting Indicator Development Needed Indicator development needed
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Last Revised: Friday, 25-Apr-2008 11:33:57 EDT