TCTU Streamkeepers Help Manage Local Trout Streams
TCTU’s Streamkeepers are on a mission to protect and restore cold-water streams across our region. Acting as the eyes and ears of the chapter, these volunteers gather critical data to guide conservation and advocacy efforts—all to ensure our local trout streams stay healthy, clean, and full of life.
🔹 What Streamkeepers Do: • Monitor water quality using national and app-based tools • Walk streams to check conditions, pick up litter, and report habitat issues • Track the impact of restoration projects • Analyze and share data with members and agencies • Conduct Redd Surveys in the fall to monitor spawning activity Expand awareness through education and communication
We collect data using the Save Our Stream Protocol as developed by the Izaak Walton League. Data is then shared on a nationwide database called the Clean Water Hub. TCTU Streamkeepers participate in the Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch. This gives us a "snapshot" of some health indicators for area streams as well as contributing to a national crowd-sharing effort that indicates trends in our streams.
Water Quality Data Gathering Water Quality measurements using the Izaak Walton League's Save Our Stream protocols are used to conduct chemical and biological/ macro invertebrate testing. Data can be entered by using this link: twincitiestu.org/h2o and select TCTU Water Quality Reading- 2025 to make data entries
We hope to use the data to identify other potential activities for our Streamkeepers, such as communicating with landowners and working with the Habitat coordinator and other organizations for future habitat improvement projects and cold water resource advocacy efforts.
We are focusing on eight streams. These include:
Belle Creek
Eagle Creek
Hay Creek
Little Cannon River
Mall of America/ Ike's Creek
South Branch of the Vermillion River
South Branch of the Whitewater River
Trout Brook
We also have some general Streamkeepers who are randomly monitoring streams in the area. Chemical monitoring efforts begin in April and conclude in late October.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer Streamkeeper and learning more about monitoring streams? If so, we offer training every spring on an area stream. Check our TCTU event page for more information.
You can also get additional information about our TCTU Streamkeeper program by contacting Jim Sauter at: [email protected]
