November Streamkeepers Report

Greetings from TCTU Streamkeepers. 
As we approach the winter season with some occasional swaths of snow and freezing temperatures, our Streamkeeper group is wrapping up our monitoring activities until next spring.
This year we expanded our monitoring efforts from three to six streams.  We doubled the number of volunteers that are monitoring streams in these targeted areas, and we have a nice contingent of general Streamkeepers that are monitoring some other streams. 

I will be updating and coordinating our stream teams again in the new year, so if you have interest in joining our efforts, please feel free to contact me at:  jim.sauter@twincitiestu.org
In general, our streams have been “holding their own” in terms of stream health.  Water temperatures have been fairly stable, although we did record a record high temperature since we began our monitoring efforts with a 75 degree reading on the Little Cannon River.  Water levels were good early in the season, and drought conditions returned later this summer.  We can certainly use some extra precipitation over the fall and winter season to replenish our streams.  Most of our water quality tests were in the “good” range except for some elevated nitrate and nitrite readings.  We will need to continue our efforts in working with landowners to help lower these levels.  Unfortunately, we did note that there was a major fish kill this summer in a stream beyond our monitoring range.  We need to continue being vigilant and vocal in advocating for our streams to help decrease and mitigate these kinds of events.  Having more “eyes and ears” and observers on our streams can help with these efforts. 
For next year, we plan to continue our efforts in monitoring these streams.  We may also want to add Eagle Creek to our list of streams since it is in the metro area, and we are continuing to do habitat work on the stream.  Also, we hope to conduct training next spring to help the DNR identify and remove parsnip on some of our streams.  This is a continuous on ongoing effort.  We will also provide some WISEH2O training as we continue to add new Streamkeepers and monitors for our streams.  One additional project will be to participate on a volunteer basis with the Rush River Invertebrate Study beginning next spring.
In my last outing I noticed the water levels on the Kinnickinnic River were very low.  While sight fishing, I spotted several very large trout.  One almost jumped in my net!  I was unable to lure them to a dry fly or nymph but was successful in netting many very nice size browns.  I also managed to catch a few leaves both on the water and on the branches as the trees start showing their fall colors and brilliance.  In this month’s report, I am sharing a Streamkeeper tip and observations from targeted and general Streamkeepers.
 
Streamkeeper Monitoring Tip of the Month…
MAKING AN OBSERVATION.  If you have a smartphone, you can make an observation by downloading the free WISEH2O app.  The observation can be as simple as taking a water temperature, or you can complete all of the entries. 
Make an Observation: Opens the “digital field notebook”, allowing you to make observations at your location.  More detailed information about making observations can be found at:  https://www.mobileh2o.com/mh2oapp
 
Below are our more recent stream observations…
 
TARGETED STREAMKEEPER REPORTS
 
MOA Creek, Stream Captain- Harold Slawik
October 25, 2022.  Phosphorous= 0, Temperature= 51 degrees.  All readings are good or fair.

​HAY CREEK, Stream Captain- Mike Stinson
October 8, 2022.  Phosphorous= 0.  Water temperature= 46 degrees.  All readings are good or fair.

GENERAL STREAMKEEPERS
 
MINNESOTA
 
GORMAN CREEK
Observed on October 1, 2022. 
Ph= 7.5.  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 120.  Nitrate= 10.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 0.  All readings are good or fair except nitrates are elevated.
 
MIDDLE FORK WHITEWATER
Observed on September 26, 2022. 
Ph= 8.0..  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 180.  Nitrate= 5.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 0.  All readings are good or fair.
 
 
NORTH BRANCH ROOT RIVER
Observed on September 7, 2022. 
Ph= 8.0..  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 180.  Nitrate= 5.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 0.  All readings are good or fair.
 
SNAKE CREEK
Observed on October 1, 2022. 
Ph= 7.5.  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 180.  Nitrate= 5.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 0.  All readings are good or fair.
 
SPRING VALLEY CREEK
Observed on September 9, 2022. 
Ph= 7.0.  Alkalinity= 40.  Hardness= 120.  Nitrate= 1.0.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 0.  Water temperature= 60 degrees.  All readings are good or fair.
 
WISCONSIN
 
POPLAR CREEK
Observed on October 13, 2022. 
Ph= 7.0.  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 120.  Nitrate= 20.  Nitrite= 0.  All readings are good or fair except for nitrates.
 
SUGAR CREEK
Observed on September 22 2022. 
Ph= 7.0..  Alkalinity= 40.  Hardness= 180.  Nitrate= 20.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 0.  Water temperature= 57 degrees.  All readings are good or fair except or nitrates.
 
BEYOND MINNESOTA & WISCONSiN
 
MINK CREEK (IOWA)
Observed on October 23, 2022. 
Ph= 8.0..  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 180.  Nitrate= 10.0.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 100.  Water temperature= 56 degrees.  All readings are good or fair.
 
 
YELLOW RIVER (IOWA)
Observed on September 26, 2022. 
Ph= 8.0.  Alkalinity= 180.  Hardness= 180.  Nitrate= 1.0.  Nitrite= 0.  Phosphorous= 100.  All readings are good or fair.