How AquaVista Works

 

AquaVista helps you explore the health of your local stream using just a photo. It looks for key features (called attributes) that represent important parts of the stream ecosystem. Each attribute is scored, and together they give an overall picture of stream health. 

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Three simple steps

 

1. AquaVista looks for key environmental attributes in your image. 

2. Each attribute is given a score. 

3. The scores are added together to create an overall stream health score, shown as a percentage. 

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A higher score means the stream environment is likely to be in better shape. 

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Why these attributes?

Streams provide many benefits such as clean water, habitats for fish, natural flood protection, and more. The attributes chosen for AquaVista highlight visible signs of these benefits and are grouped into five themes:

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1. Water Quality

   • ​​Clarity (Turbidity): Clearer water usually means less sediment and healthier habitats. 

   • Algal Growth: Too much algae can signal nutrient pollution. 

   • Surface Pollution: Foam, oil, or sewage fungus suggest contamination. 

   • Litter/Trash: Waste in streams affects water quality, safety, and wildlife. 

2. Flow & Channel Condition

   • Shading: Trees and plants cool the water and provide shelter.​

   • Flow Condition: Flowing water supports wildlife more than still pools.

   • Channel Modification: Natural channels are healthier than heavily engineered ones. 

   • Sediment: Excess build-up can smother habitats.

   • Substrate Diversity: A mix of rocks, plants, and wood supports varied habitats.

   • Channel Variety: Features like pools and riffles provide oxygen and shelter.

3. Streamside Vegetation (Riparian Margin)

   • Vegetation Buffers: Wider, longer, and more diverse plant buffers protect streams. ​

   • Bank Modification: Natural banks are more stable and valuable for wildlife. 

   • Bank Stability: Eroding banks can harm water quality and habitat.

4. Aquatic Life & Habitat

   • Aquatic Plants: Submerged, floating, and emergent plants provide food, shelter, and oxygen. ​

   • Fish Passage: Clear flow paths are essential for fish movement and survival.

5. Human Impact & Land Use

   • Surrounding Land Use: Urban, farm, or forested land affects stream health.​

   • Encroachment: Building or farming too close reduces stream health. 

   • Pipes & Inflows: Drains and outfalls may introduce pollutants. 

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How scoring works

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• Most attributes are scored as: 0 = poor, 1 = moderate, 2 = good.

• Some use a wider range (for example, litter is scored 0–3).

• AquaVista adds up your scores to create the final result.

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The score isn't a "pass" or "fail." Instead, it shows where the stream is strong and where it may be under pressure. Your results help you understand your local stream and support scientists studying freshwater health over time. 

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A note of care

This is a visual survey, not a replacement for professional water testing. Still, by taking part you're contributing to a bigger picture: helping communities and scientists protect streams for the future.