This Benthic Invertebrate Community Analysis dataset, a conceptual subgroup of the Lake Erie Ecological Investigations (LEEI) dataset, focuses on the benthic invertebrates sampled at Areas of Concern (AOCs) on Lake Erie. Per the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), the invertebrate samples were taken from sediments remaining from the sediment analysis. Identification of the invertebrates was completed by the same invertebrate taxonomist for both the 1998-2000 evaluation and 1986-87 historical evaluation (Smith et al. 1994) for increased consistency. Oligochaetes were identified to species if possible, chironomids were identified to genus, as adult specimens are needed for specific identification, and other taxa were identified as far as practical. Identification of invertebrates was done to the lowest possible taxon. This dataset details the number of each species or lowest-identified taxon identified. The tables related to the Benthic Invertebrates dataset include: benthic.csv, benthic_header.csv, leei_benthos.csv.