Streamkeeper Report - June 2023: Save Our Streams

By Jim Sauter

​​In morse code, “SOS” is a signal sequence of three dits, three dots, and another three dits spelling “S-O-S”.  The expression “Save Our Ship” was used by sailors to signal for help for a vessel in distress.  Much in the same way, the Izaak Walton League has adopted the expression “SOS” to mean “Saving Our Streams”.

What percent of our streams are currently being monitored in the United States?  Best estimates are that about 30% are being monitored, and of those, over 50% are considered impaired in some way.  That means that over 70% of the streams in our country are not being actively monitored.  Many of those are also impaired with no data to determine trends and needs.  We have made substantial progress in cleaning up our streams and lakes, but there is still a lot of work to do!

Recently, several of our TCTU Streamkeepers attended the Save Our Stream Training in Winona that was sponsored by the Izaak Walton League.  The SOS water testing protocol contains many of the same chemical tests that we are currently doing plus the testing of macro invertebrates.  The advantage of bio monitoring is that it may show trends from pollution that do not show up with chemical testing.  Adding the bio testing component is something we may want to consider as we monitor the seven trout streams in our TCTU area.

Veronica Bauer collects macro invertebrates from Gilmore Creek. (Photo by Jim Sauter)

Harold and Sharon Slawik learn more about SOS chemical Testing. (Photo by Jim Sauter)

Possible Future Plans for Bio Testing: SOS Certification
To enter bio and chemical data into the national database, the Clean Water Hub, participants must have SOS Certification.  Currently we have three members that have expressed interest in getting the certification.  Is this something of interest to you?  Is there more interest?  If so, you can go to the website to get additional information (i.e. at https://www.iwla.org/water/stream-monitoring/upcoming-water-monitoring-workshops/save-our-streams-certification ).  You can also contact Jim Sauter at:  [email protected]

We hope to continue the conversation about possible bio testing team(s) by determining the interest level, facilitating training opportunities, and purchasing and/or borrowing the equipment and supplies needed for bio testing.  

Bio testing is done once or twice a year in the spring and fall of the year.  We are hopeful that we could begin testing on one or more streams starting in the fall of 2023.  

Bug Apps
Do you need help identifying the bugs/ macro invertebrates on a stream?  If so, these apps can be especially helpful.

What exactly is a macro invertebrate?  Macro means these are bugs that we can see with the naked eye.  Invertebrate means that these bugs have no backbone.  Macro invertebrates compose about 95% of all animal species.  That’s a lot of bugs.  Here are some apps that you may find useful:

Creek Critters App
Ready to start monitoring, but not quite ready to take on official training and certification? Creek Critters has got you covered! This app guides you step by step through the process of finding and identifying bugs in streams. Creek Critters is easy and fun. Collect bugs by following simple step-by-step instructions and identify your bugs with an interactive identification key. 
Once you’ve identified your bugs, Creek Critters does the rest! The app automatically calculates your Stream Health Score based on your findings. The score tells you how healthy your stream is – plus your results are added to the Clean Water Hub, our public database of water quality in America.  Download Creek Critters FREE from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

The Catch and the Hatch
Do you want to identify bugs AND determine what flies to use?  Then the Catch and the Hatch App may be for you.  Download The Catch and the Hatch App FREE from Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Aqua Bugs
One additional bug/ macro invertebrate app that helps identify bugs is call the Aqua Bugs App.  Download Aqua Bugs App FREE from Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Streamkeeper Tip of the Month
Have you discovered a fish kill or violation?  If so, report it!  Here are some helpful phone numbers. I suggest entering these numbers in your smartphone contact list!

Minnesota

• Fish Kills: 651-649-5451 or 800-422-0798.  The MPCA defines a kill as five or more dead fish in one location.  If you see a potential fish kill of fish die-off, call a Minnesota duty officer at one of the numbers above.  Give as much information as possible including the name of the body of water and rearrest road or crossing.  Tell the duty officer if the location is upstream or downstream and how far from a crossing or GPS coordinates may also be helpful.
• Fish Violations:  800-652-9093.  If you see a potential fishing violation, call the TIP hotline number below.  Give as much information as possible including the potential violation water body name and the nearest road or crossing.  Note whether the location is upstream or downstream and how far from a crossing.

Wisconsin

• Fish Kills & Violations: 1-800-847-9367 or 1-800-tip-wdnr or the local fish biologist.  Reports can also be submitted online at:  dnrx.wisconsin.gov.

Targeted Streamkeepers
Our “targeted” Streamkeepers are monitoring Belle, Eagle, Hay Creek, Little Cannon, Mall of America, South Branch Vermillion, and Trout Brook Creeks.  Below are some recent chemical readings on these streams.
 
Belle Creek

• Team of Dean Albrecht (Captain), Paul Frank, and Todd Hustad  
• May 2, 2023.   Water quality:  pH= 7.5 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 0.0 (Low reading), Hardness= 60.0 (trout are happy), Phosphorous= 100 (Good), Temperature = 55 degrees (trout are happy).  Water clarity was very clear, water level was mid-stage, and there were no significant weather conditions to report.  

Eagle Creek

• Team of Thor Benson and Southwest Christian High School students
• April 13,2023.  Water quality:  Ph= 8.0 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 180.(Trout are happy), Hardness= 120.0 (Trout are happy)​

Hay Creek (pictured above - photos by Mike Stinson)

• Team of Mike Stinson (Captain), Keith Ketchmark, Josh O’Tool, Larry Olson, and Mitch Abbett
• May 10, 2023. 325th St.  Water quality:  Ph= 7.0 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity = 40.0 (Low), Hardness= 120.0 (Trout are happy), Nitrate= 20.0 (Moderate), Nitrite (Trout are happy.  Clarity= muddy.  Level= mid-stage. Weather= Local Thunderstorm.  Disturbances:  None.
• June 1, 2023. 325th St.  Water quality:  Ph= 8.0 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 80.0 (Trout are happy), Hardness= 120.0 (Trout are happy), Nitrate= 20.0 (Moderate), Nitrite (Trout are happy), Phosphorous= 100.0 (Low), Temperature= 57 degrees (Trout are happy)
• June 1, 2023. 320th St.  Water quality:  pH= 8.5 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 120.0 (Trout are happy), Hardness= 180 (Trout are happy), Nitrate= 10.0 (Moderate), Nitrite= 0.0 (Trout are happy), Phosphorous= 100 (Trout are happy), Temperature= 62 degrees (Trout are happy).  Clear water.  Mid-stage level.  

Little Cannon

• Team of Hillary Pennalla (Captain), Rick Phetsavong, Ron Richardson, and Ginger Flaten
• No new data to report yet.

Mall of America Creek

• Team of Harold Slawik and Veronica Bauer
• May 21, 2023.  Water quality:  pH= 7.0 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 0.0 (Low), Hardness=30.0 (Low), Nitrate= 0.0 (Trout are happy), Nitrite= 3.0 (High), Phosphorus= 0.0 (Trout are happy), Temperature= 6259 degrees (Trout are happy), the water clarity was clear, the banks were at the bank midstage, and there was no significant weather condition.  The trout are happy in these conditions.

South Branch Vermillion

• Team of Doug Moran (Captain), Thomas Walkington (Captain), John Klesch, Matt Kleinheinz, Rowe Winecoff, and Joe Page
• May 15, 2023.  Water quality:  pH= 8.0, (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 120.0 (Trout are happy), Hardness= 120.0 (Trout are happy), , Nitrate= 10.0 (Moderate), Nitrite= 0.0 (Trout are happy), Phosphorus= 100.0 (Low), Temperature= 58 degrees (Trout are happy).  The water clarity was murky, the banks were at the bank full stage, and there was regional rainfall.

Trout Brook

• Team of Matt Lowe (Captain), Dan Erickson, Andy McRae, and Rick Varco.
• May 23, 2023.  Water quality:   pH= 7.0 (Trout are happy), Alkalinity= 0.0 (Low) , Hardness= 0.0 (Low),  Nitrate= 50 (High), Nitrite= 0.0 (Trout are happy), Phosphorus= 200.0 (Low), , Temperature= 58 degrees (Trout are happy).  

General Anglers
“General” Streamkeepers are busy conducting more random and spontaneous monitoring of streams in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

General Streamkeepers - Minnesota
Crooked Creek

• May 21, 2023.  Water quality:  pH= 8.0, Alkalinity= 180.0, Hardness= 180.0, Nitrate= 10.0 (High), Nitrite= 0.0, Phosphorus= 0.0, Temperature= 61 degrees.  clarity was clear, water level was baseflow, and there was no significant weather event.  

Spring Valley Creek

• May 15, 2023.  Water quality:  pH= 7.0, Alkalinity= 180.0, Hardness= 180, Nitrate= 20.0, Nitrite= 0.0, Phosphorus= 100.0, Temperature= 53 degrees.  Water clarity was murky, water level was mid stage, weather had regional rainfall.

Etna Creek

• May 15, 2023.  Water quality:  pH= 7.5, Alkalinity= 180.0, Hardness= 180.0, Nitrate= 50.0 (high), Nitrite= 15.0 (high), Phosphorus= 100.0, Temperature= 53 degrees.  Water clarity was murky, water level was mid stage, and there was regional rainfall.  

General Streamkeepers - Iowa
You can go to the WISEH2O app and find readings at Honey Creek, Doe Creek, Kleinlein Creek, and Rabbit Creek.

General Streamkeepers - Wisconsin
You can go to the WISEH2O app and find readings at Halfway Creek, Bruce Valley Creek, Chimney Rock Creek, Lowes Creek, Elk Creek, and the South Fork Kinni.