September Streamkeepers Report

​by Jim Sauter, Streamkeepers Coordinator
Greetings from the TCTU Streamkeepers!  Welcome to the fall season of 2022.
Our stream temperatures are beginning to moderate due to our shorter days and cooler evenings.  On a recent visit to the Kinni, the sun set at about 7:24 pm! 
We recorded stream temperatures in the 52 degrees to 75 degrees range over the last month.  Some additional precipitation in some locations would be helpful, although many streams have recovered nicely from the drought conditions of 2021.

1. TARGETED STREAMKEEPERS.  Our “Targeted” Streamkeepers continue to monitor Belle Creek, Hay Creek, Little Cannon, MOA Creek, South Vermillion, and Trout Brook.  Below is a short recap of our efforts:

a. BELLE CREEK- Dean Albrecht
Nothing new to report.  

b. HAY CREEK- Mike Stinson.  Additional pictures at the end of the article!
A cloudy day but a lot of rises. An Elk Hair and a hopper did not bring in any fish. I went to he 325th street off of the county road and found that once you went to the small cabin right nest to stream you could travel along the stream with your vehicle as the farmer has mowed a wide path along the stream. There is his corn, the path, the 50 foot grass buffer and then the stream. This guy is following the rules. No fecal material this time. I will provide a few photos. I drove north and west for about 1 and 1/2 miles to the next small bridge. Aside from the farmer that has a sign warning of his bull, the stream seems to be complying. Once you get by Hay Creek the village, the stream veers north and east and flows through Red Wing. It flows right through a golf course, and I am sure it is not the same stream we test on.
The stream was right at its bank, no trash and flowing and gurgling just like a trout person would like. 59 degrees and cold. Great for trout.
 
c. LITTLE CANNON- Hillary Pennella
With water temperatures in the mid 70s in August, the river was a bit too warm 
to fish.  Natural reproduction had occurred this spring and was evident.
 
d. MOA CREEK-  Harold Slawik.  Water temperature was 59 degrees.

e. SOUTH VERMILLION-  Thomas Walkington
Water temperature was 64 degrees.
Stream was running well.  Numbers were  good.  Nothing extraordinary to report.

f. TROUT BROOK- Matthew Lowe 
Water temperature was 60 degrees.

2. General Anglers.  About thirty “general” Streamkeepers are busy conducting more random and spontaneous monitoring of streams in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.  If you wish to join this group and learn how to monitor some streams, please contact me for additional information at jim.sauter@twincitiestu.org