With recent emphasis towards monitoring and protecting freshwater systems, cost-effective methods and tools are being developed. The BenthoTorch, which allows for quick in-field measurement of biofilm biomass and community composition, is one of these new tools. Biofilms contain many microorganisms that each possess a different combination of pigments. The BenthoTorch measures the absorbed wavelengths of the pigments, producing much quicker depictions of community composition than traditional methods. In this study, biofilms were assessed using a BenthoTorch, chlorophyll-a, and microscopy. By comparing findings from the BenthoTorch to traditional methods, we will determine the reliability of data produced from the BenthoTorch. If the findings are accurate, it may facilitate more in-depth monitoring of algal communities by saving hours of time per sample.