Stream Walk Methods
The Goleta Slough Stream Walk Program provided an opportunity for community volunteers to participate in the documentation and mapping of ecological impairments along San Jose and Maria Ygnacio Creeks. We developed the following simple protocols to facilitate efficient and informative stream surveys.
During each stream walk event, sections of creek were walked by participants, who identified and recorded various types of problems termed 'ecological impairments' that have the potential to harm or reduce the ecological health or function of a creek.
Before the start of each stream walk event, volunteers were instructed to meet at a pre-designated area for a brief introduction to the program and to fill out sign-in sheets and liability waivers. Once these few tasks were completed, volunteers made their way by vehicle to the starting point for the day's survey. After arriving at the starting point and 
entering the stream channel, volunteers began slowly walking up stream while looking for any of the problems described in the Impairments section of this document.
A 50-meter measuring tape was used to divide the creek into regular survey intervals. Note that 100-meter survey intervals were used for the first stream walk event on October 10th, 2004. This interval was subsequently reduced to 50-meters to improve data quality and resolution.
At the end of each 50-meter segment, a point was plotted for each impairment type observed using a GPS device. At the end of each 50-meter segment volunteers also filled out data sheets for each impairment type observed in order to document additional details and notes. For discharge points, dump sites, and potential barriers to fish passage, points were plotted with the GPS at the exact location of the impairment instead of at the end of the 50-meter segment. Below is a description of the types of information documented for each impairment type.
Invasive Vegetation
For each 50-meter segment, surveyors documented the presence and extent of the following plants: Algerian Ivy, Arundo donax, Cape Ivy, Castor Bean, Fennel, Ice Plant, Palm, Pampas Grass, Tree Tobacco, and Watercress.
Surveyors approximated the percent length per segment at which invasive vegetation was present along either bank. They then selected one of four categories to describe the approximate coverage of these vegetation types.
Light coverage = 1-10%
Moderate coverage = 11-30%
Heavy coverage = 31-60%
Inundated coverage = 61-100%
Stream Bank Modifications
For each 50-meter segment, surveyors documented the presence of all artificial stream bank modifications. Modification types include: Concrete channels, Concreted boulders, Concrete walls, Rip Raps, Loose boulders, Gabion walls, Netting, Wire mesh, and Other.
For each 50-meter segment surveyors indicated the approximate total length of each modification type present. Approximate total lengths were summarized in 5 categories: 1 to 10 meters, 11 to 20 meters, 21 to 30 meters, 31 to 40 meters, and 41 to 50 meters.
Left and right stream banks were surveyed and documented separately, with the left and right sides oriented while facing downstream. Additional notes and photographs were taken when applicable.
Unstable Stream Banks
For each 50-meter segment, surveyors documented the presence of relatively unstable stream banks. While walking down stream, surveyors searched for the following signs of stream bank instability:
At each 50-meter end point, surveyors qualitatively summarized the status of bank stability by identifying the presence of unstable banks. Unstable banks were divided into four categories describing scale and intensity of instability: Isolated minor instability, Sustained minor instability, Isolated severe instability, and Sustained severe instability.
A "sustained" event was generally defined as any instability extending greater than 10 meters along the stream bank. An unstable bank was generally identified as "severe" when there were very steep collapsing banks, undercut banks, extensive gully erosion, and collapsing sediment directly entering the stream.
Left and right stream banks were surveyed and documented separately, with the left and right sides oriented while facing downstream. Additional notes and photographs were taken when applicable.
Discharge Points
During stream walks, participants examined the stream channel and banks for the presence of discharge points. Typical discharge points included storm drains, pipes, open channels, and drainage ditches. For each discharge point occurrence, the outfall location was surveyed using the GPS. The diameter of the outfall and the distance from the outfall point to the stream were measured and recorded. The adjacent land use associated with the discharge point was also recorded when identifiable. Additional recorded information included weather conditions, presence and rate of discharge, water clarity of discharge, and the presence of odors.
Impacting Land Uses
Participants looked for adjacent land uses that were obviously affecting the streamside environment or the stream itself. Potential impacts included landscaping adjacent to streams, horse corrals, pastures with grazing animals in the streamside environment, parking lots, and any other land uses that were altering the natural vegetation in the riparian zone. The following were the categories used to describe the land uses affecting the stream or streamside environment.
SFR = Single family residential (standard house)
MFR = Multi-family Residential (apartments, townhouses, condos)
AG = Agriculture (crops)
VO = Vineyards and Orchards (tree crops or grapes usually on hillsides)
AH = Animal Husbandry (grazing livestock, cattle, sheep)
EQ = Equestrian (horse owners)
IND = Industrial (factories, manufacturing)
COM = Commercial (retail, shopping centers, grocery stores)
V = Vacant (undeveloped open space)
O = Other
Impacting land use GPS points were plotted at the end of the 50-meter segment for which the land use occurred. On the data sheets, participants recorded the approximate proportion of the 50 meter stretch impacted by the land use.
Dump Sites
Participants looked for evidence of dumping - large piles of trash, abandoned cars, appliances, large quantities of yard waste, and/or miscellaneous pieces of junk. Participants also looked for evidence of green-waste dumping, such as grass and yard clippings, piles of leaves, etc.
On their data sheets, participants simply recorded the approximate diameter of the dump site, noted the distance of the site to the creek, and indicated the type of debris. Dump sites were divided into three groups: small debris such as bottles, cans, and trash, large debris such as shopping carts and cars, and trash from homeless encampments..