Navicula trivialis valves and central area are both smaller than N. whitefishensis, while N. oligotraphenta is smaller than N. trivialis. The striae of Navicula hasta are strongly radiate, but are more irregular near the center of the valve than in N. whitefishensis. The apices of N. hasta are not as narrow as N. whitefishensis. The central area of N. whitefishensis is large and distinct.