The Bougara dam’s water quality assessment using macroinvertebrates benthic indices

The benthic macroinvertebrate communities along with the physicochemical variables in Bougara dam waters (Nahr Ouassel river) downstream of a dam North-western of Algeria, were recorded from three sampling sites during January to May 2022. All the physicochemical parameters were highest in the first station (temperature, pH, conductivity, BOD and COD) while they were slightly lower in the second station and low in the third station. A total of 13 species, belonging to 10 families of 7 orders of benthic macroinvertebrates were recorded. With a great domination of insects. The maximum density of benthic fauna was recorded from the site nearest to the dam exit. These results were confirmed by the benthic indices of macroinvertebrates where the recommendations are to clean the first highly polluted station and to keep monitoring the other remaining stations moderately polluted.