Biological Assessment and Criteria presents a state-of-the-art overview of the applications of biological assessments and biocriteria for water quality management in fresh waters. The book presents case studies which illustrate how bioassessment has been used to identify and diagnose water quality problems. It also provides examples of the use of qualitative and quantitative biocriteria as regulatory tools to complement water quality criteria and standards. The first book to present the technical foundation, rationale, program and policy relevance, and legal basis for the most accurate tools used to assess freshwater natural resource and regulatory efforts, this book provides useful and timely information for water quality managers. "This unusually well-integrated, 24-author volume presents the case for use of biological properties of aquatic communities to manage streams and regulate their use for effluent dilution and other purposes... The quality of the papers is high, and they cover the topic thoroughly..."-SETAC News