Stream Pollution Trends (SPoT) Monitoring Program

As part of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP), the Stream Pollution Trends (SPoT) Monitoring Program was initiated in 2008 with three primary goals:

1. Determine long-term, statewide trends in stream contaminant concentrations and effects.
2. Relate key water quality indicators to land-use characteristics and management efforts.
3. Establish a network of sites throughout the state to serve as a backbone for collaboration with local, regional, and federal monitoring programs and management agencies.

The SPoT Monitoring Program conducts statewide monitoring to provide information on the condition of California waterways with respect to trends in sediment toxicity and contamination. SPoT data are currently used by the Water Boards to assess the levels to which aquatic life beneficial uses are supported in California streams and rivers.

The SPoT Monitoring Program also analyzes sediment samples deposited at the base of watersheds for metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, legacy pesticides, current use pesticides, and emerging contaminants such as fipronil and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. In addition, toxicity is analyzed using the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus dilutus, and categorized using a flow chart.

  View the Toxicity Categories Flow Chart.

SPoT has fostered continuing collaborative studies with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and has also partnered with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. SPoT is currently working on a collaborative study with other UC Davis researchers analyzing constituents of emerging concern and sublethal effects on aquatic organisms.

The results of SPoT analyses have been documented in five reports that span multiple years. These reports each have an accompanying fact sheet that provide a brief summary of the findings.

  View SPoT Reports, Fact Sheets & Additional Documents.

SPoT Data collected by the SPoT program are stored in the California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN). Water quality, toxicity, and habitat data can be queried by selecting “SWAMP Stream Pollution Trends” from the “Select Parent Projects” filter.

  CEDEN

Learn more about our program.

  Watch video overview of the SPoT Monitoring Program.