In coastal plain streams, suspended organic detritus and algae (seston) are available to primary consumers in streams, but vary in quality both seasonally and inter-annually.  During high flows, primary production is not prevalent due to light limitation resulting from transport of suspended fine materials downstream and leaching of dissolved organic matter from the adjacent floodplains.  During low flows, there is less connectivity between the stream and floodplains and material transport is reduced allowing primary production to occur in well-lit reaches.  Thus, flow regime and connectivity affect basal resources available to primary consumers.  We investigated the connection between flow regime and food resource quality (algae vs. detrital).  We measured the stable isotopic composition and C:N of three size fractions of seston in different sections of the watershed during varying flow regimes (high vs. low).  We related hydrologic variability to food quality and stable isotopic signatures of seston to determine how basal resources may be affected by variable flow.  Our results indicate a difference in composition and quality based on size and discharge.  This research provides new insight into how terrestrial and aquatic linkages and the natural flow regime affect basal resources available to primary consumers in streams.