Ohio EPA has prepared a set of fact sheets about primary headwater streams to promote a wider understanding of the value and importance of these waters. Local governments, soil and water conservation districts, watershed groups and others are encouraged to learn more and take a variety of steps to promote sound land use management and protection of primary headwater streams.

The Importance and Benefits of Primary Headwater Streams
This fact sheet discusses various areas relating to the importance of primary headwater streams including: the health of larger streams and rivers; sediment, nutrient, and flood control; wildlife habitat; and water and food supplies.

Ohio EPA's Primary Headwater Stream Project: Key Findings
This fact sheet illustrates and discusses the main categories of primary headwater streams.

Nonpoint Source Impacts on Primary Headwater Streams
This fact sheet discusses why primary headwater streams should be protected from nonpoint source impacts, their relation to Ohio’s 319 program, and initiatives that promote improved management of these streams.

Economic Reasons for Sound Management of Primary Headwater Streams
This fact sheet discusses the economic benefits to good stewardship and the proper management of primary headwater streams.

Ohio EPA's field study project of primary headwater habitat streams has been completed. The project reports and resulting field evaluation method manuals are available as listed below.

Ohio EPA extends an invitation to all interested outside parties to offer constructive observations, comments and questions on these documents. Please address your remarks or questions to Paul Anderson at the address provided at the end of this page.

• Technical Report: Ohio's Primary Headwater Streams - Fish and Amphibian Assemblages - September 2002
  This report summarizes the types of fish and amphibians that have been collected by Ohio EPA during surveys of primary headwater habitat streams.

• Technical Report: Ohio's Primary Headwater Streams - Macroinvertebrate Assemblages - September 2002
  This report summarizes macroinvertebrate information collected by Ohio EPA during surveys of primary headwater habitat streams.

• Ohio EPA Primary Headwater Habitat Initiative Data Compendium, 1999-2000: Habitat, Chemistry, and Stream Morphology Data - September 2002
  This report presents and summarizes the physical, chemical, and morphological data that were collected by Ohio EPA during surveys of primary headwater habitat streams.

• Field Evaluation Manual for Ohio's Primary Headwater Habitat Streams - January 2012   This manual is a tool to promote the standardized assessment of primary headwater habitat streams in Ohio. It contains the Primary Headwater Habitat Evaluation (HHEI) Form which should be used in conjunction with this evaluation manual.  The previous version of the manual is available here. 

  • See the table below for forms and figures in the manual.

Why are small streams important?
Small streams are "feeder" streams that play a vital role in the health of larger streams and rivers.  See Clean Rivers Spring from Their Source: The Importance & Management of Headwater Streams - August 2001 for more facts.

What lives in primary headwater streams?
Click on this link and find out about the different animals that live in these streams.  

What work has Ohio EPA done with primary headwater streams?
See Slide show presentation - April 2002. This presentation summarizes the Division's work with primary headwater streams through the year 2001.  It addresses what primary headwater streams are, why primary headwater streams are important, what lives in primary headwater streams, how primary headwater streams fit into Ohio's stream network, and Ohio EPA field study results through the year 2001.

What is a primary headwater habitat stream?
Generally speaking, these are small streams having a drainage area of less than one square mile.  Primary headwater streams are capable of supporting a wide variety of aquatic insects, fish and amphibians, such as salamanders.  There are several different types or classes of primary headwater streams.  See the Primary Headwater Field Evaluation Manual and proposed water quality standards rule OAC 3745-1-07 for more details.

What aquatic life habitat beneficial use designations apply to primary headwater streams?
Unless otherwise specifically designated in the Ohio water quality standards use designation rules (e.g., warmwater habitat, exceptional warmwater habitat, etc.) the primary headwater habitat use designation will apply.  See proposed water quality standard rule OAC 3745-1-07 for more details.  Note there are different types or classes of primary headwater streams.  These are described in proposed rule OAC 3745-1-07 and the Primary Headwater Field Evaluation Manual.

What water quality criteria apply to protect the aquatic life present in primary headwater streams?
The chemical criteria associated with the base aquatic life use apply to all primary headwaters.  See proposed rules OAC 3745-1-42 and 3745-1-43.  In addition, the chemical water quality criteria associated with the coldwater habitat aquatic life use apply to Class III primary headwater streams.  See proposed rule OAC 3745-1-43.  There are no biological criteria applicable to primary headwater habitat streams.

Does the State's antidegradation rule apply to primary habitat streams?
Yes. Primary headwater streams, even if not specifically named in the Ohio's Water Quality Standards rules, are considered general high quality waters and are subject to all applicable provisions of the antidegradation rule.

Examples of Ohio primary headwater habitat streams

• Class I

• Class II

• Class III

• Impacted PHWH streams

Examples of waters or streams that are not considered primary headwater habitat streams

• Drainageways not considered PHWH streams

• Small streams with established designated uses

For additional information contact: