Streamkeepers' Report

Greetings from your TCTU Streamkeepers.
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Our TCTU efforts in stream monitoring are part of a much larger “crowdsourcing” effort in the driftless area. According to Dan Dauwalter from Trout Unlimited, we now have over 1,060 observations made using the WiseH2O mobile app in and around the Driftless Area.  Below you will find the recent ‘2022 Activities Report’ that outlines the activity around the program through 2022.

 those interested in learning more about monitoring streams using the WISEH2O app, I plan to conduct on-stream training at the South Vermillion River on Saturday, May 6, at 10:00 am.  You can register for this training by clicking here.

For more information on the TCTU Streamkeeper project, please contact Jim Sauter at: 715-210-0710 or [email protected]

Angler Science Driftless Area Program
In 2022, anglers and scientist made 451 observations in the Driftless Area, adding to the 611 made in previous seasons. Thanks goes to all the participants, with a special shout out to the Kiap-Tu-Wish, Twin Cities, and Hiawatha TU Chapters for making the program so successful. A summary of the angler activities is presented in the activities report. We continue to collect information, so join in to help the effort.

2022 Angler Science Driftless Area Activities Report

2022 September Sampling Blitz
During the Blitz, 27 anglers made 61 observations. Congratulations to Harold Slawik from TCTU in being one of the winners with his monitoring efforts on the Mall of America Creek.

Did not participate or win? Stay tuned for the 2023 September competition and a chance to win prizes while contributing to monitoring of Driftless Area water quality conditions!

About the Program
Building on the 2019 Angler Science Pilot, Trout Unlimited (TU) has expanded the Driftless Angler Science program to include the entire Driftless Area.

The program continues to allow anglers to make stream-side observations using the WiseH2O app, including screening water quality, identifying stream disturbances that impact fish habitat (e.g. stream bank erosion, fish barriers), and providing general water conditions (e.g. level, clarity).  Anglers in the field are informed of the importance of water quality on stream habitat and the data is stored for use in improving fish habitat.  Benefits of the Driftless Angler Science Program are:

• Characterization of water quality conditions and identification of stream disturbances throughout the Driftless Area,
• Information helpful in selecting habitat restoration sites
• Increased understanding of waterway characteristics useful to resource management agencies (e.g. TU, DNRs, US FWS),
• Increased awareness of water quality issues and fish habitat conditions by participating anglers.

Now spanning the entire Driftless Area, the program includes anglers from 14 TU chapters, as well as biologists and resource agents from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Resources .  Given the collaborative effort, we bring greater understanding and education about stream conditions in the greater Driftless Area.

Progress Dashboard

Following a successful pilot project conducted by the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter in Pierce County, WI in 2019, the Trout Unlimited (TU) Angler Science Program with the WiseH2O App expanded to the entire Driftless Area in 2020-2022.  The goal of the program is to engage anglers and TU chapters to become more informed and collect actionable data on Driftless Area trout streams.  The Activities Report provides an overview of the program’s activities and effectiveness at collecting data and engaging anglers and TU Chapters towards the goal. 

Observations
​As of October 31st, 1,063 observations have been made in the Driftless Area with the WiseH2O app.  The map can be found at:  https://arcg.is/1b4X5T