Check the bugs in Waller Creek to see how healthy the water is, Austin TX (2026-07-07)

Waller Creek running through Austin, TX has never had its streambed bugs counted. The mix of species living there is one of the clearest signs of whether the water is healthy or polluted. Standard: EPA RBP family-level biotic index; SDG 6.6 Proof: photo of riffle + GPS + taxa tally + biotic index score Method (EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (family-level macroinvertebrate index), ~60-120 min): 1. Navigate to a riffle habitat; record GPS; photograph the reach. 2. Disturb the substrate upstream of the net for a fixed time/area (kick sample) per RBP. 3. Transfer the catch to the sorting tray; pick and sort organisms. 4. Identify to family; tally counts; record EPT (Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera) taxa. 5. Compute the biotic index score from the tally. 6. Note substrate and habitat condition. 7. Enter tally, EPT count, index score, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign. Equipment: kick net or D-frame net, white sorting tray, forceps, sample jars + ethanol, family-level ID key, GPS phone, waders/boots, camera Done when: Family-level taxa tally recorded; EPT taxa count recorded; Biotic index score computed; GPS waypoint + riffle habitat photo

Where

Waller Creek, Austin TX

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

photo of riffle + GPS + taxa tally + biotic index score

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-06

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 60–120 minutes. Method of record: EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (family-level macroinvertebrate index)

Bring

• kick net or D-frame net
• white sorting tray
• forceps
• sample jars + ethanol
• family-level ID key
• GPS phone
• waders/boots
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to a riffle habitat; record GPS; photograph the reach.
2. 2. Disturb the substrate upstream of the net for a fixed time/area (kick sample) per RBP.
3. 3. Transfer the catch to the sorting tray; pick and sort organisms.
4. 4. Identify to family; tally counts; record EPT (Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera) taxa.
5. 5. Compute the biotic index score from the tally.
6. 6. Note substrate and habitat condition.
7. 7. Enter tally, EPT count, index score, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Low EPT count / low biotic index -> tag impaired; recommend a follow-up water-chemistry screen.
• No sensitive taxa present -> flag for stressor identification.

What counts as done

• Family-level taxa tally recorded
• EPT taxa count recorded
• Biotic index score computed
• GPS waypoint + riffle habitat photo

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.