Cold Water Habitat EvaluationGilbert Creek & Elk Creek

June – August 2005

Matthew D. Rasmussen

Applied Science Undergraduate

UW-Stout

Menomonie, WI 54751

MethodsBiological Information collected using Hobart H-10 Multimeter

pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and salinity

Continuous Onset TidBit Temperature Loggers

Collected water temperature every 30 minutesNitrogen & Phosphorus concentrations utilizing HACH Kit

Compare results to USEPA standardsE.coli & Coliform testing

Compare results to Wisconsin code NR 102.04Water velocity using Global Waters FP-101 Flow Probe

Chlorophyll content in algae ASTM D3731-87

Study to analyze phosphorus trend in Elk Creek

Gilbert Creek

Findings

- E.coli and Coliform levels are high

- Levels are not to exceed 4 per mL

- Correlate to rain fall

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5Date of Sample

E.co

li (p

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mL)

GCA

GCB

GCC

GCD

GCE

GCF

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Col

iform

(per

1m

L)

GCA

GCB

GCC

GCD

GCE

GCF

-Self-Sustaining buffer!

-Presence of salinity buffers pH

-May influence microbial species

-Excellent environment to sustain

brook trout

0.001.002.003.004.005.006.007.008.009.00

10.00

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Date of Sample

pH

GCA

GCB

GCC

GCD

GCE

GCF

0.00

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.03

Date of Sample

Salin

ity

GCA

GCB

GCC

GCD

GCE

GCF

Macroinvertabrate quality increases as quality of habitat increases. This is easily seen by the Biotic Index

South branch = scuds

Middle branch = scuds

North branch = mayflies, caddis flies

The North branch water quality & habitat is clearly the ideal habitat for brook trout in Gilbert Creek

**Data was obtained by Bio-135 Students, end of Sept. 2005**

Branch of Creek Simpson's Index of diversity(1-D)

WAV Biotic Index

South .61 2.0 (poor)

Middle .63 2.2 (fair)

North .81 2.8 (good)

Sediment Characteristics

SiteSediment

Depth Description

  (meters)  

GC-A < 1 Silt

GC-B 0.20 Silt

GC-C (2003) 0.13 Sand/Silt

GC-D (2004) 0.38 Pebbles/Sand

GC-E 0.53 Sand

GC-F 0.81 Silt

Sediment depth lowest in 2003 2004 restoration sites.

Spawning habitat more abundant in sites C and D

Sediment Quality correlated to biotic index

Restoration provides results!

Elk Creek

-E. coli and Coliform levels are high

-Levels are not to exceed 4 per mL

-Correlate to rain fall

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Date of Sample

E.co

li (p

er 1

mL)

ECG

ECH

ECI

ECJ

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Date of Sample

Colif

orm

(per

1m

L)

ECG

ECH

ECI

ECJ

-No salinity = No buffer

-Ground water infiltration creates an increase in pH over time

-Rain fall has greater effect on water

6.807.007.207.407.607.808.008.208.408.60

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Date of Sample

pH

ECG

ECH

ECI

ECJ

0.000.100.200.300.400.500.600.700.800.901.00

Date of Sample

Salin

ity

ECG

ECH

ECI

ECJ

Sediment Characteristics

Quality of habitat increases down stream

Restoration done above site G in 1999

Sediment Quality relates to biotic index

Site Sediment

Depth Description

  (meters)  

EC-G 0.46 Silty Muck

EC-H 0.43 Sand/Pebbles

EC-I 0.66 Sand

EC-J 0.18Rocks/pebbles (Ideal!!)

Water quality increases downstream, thus biotic index increases

EC-G contains muddy sediment & slow moving water. Mainly scuds & tubifex

EC-J is fast moving with riffles and pools. Contains a rocky sediment and habitat

for trout. Mainly caddisflies and stoneflies

Site Location

Simpson's Index of

diversity(1-D)WAV Biotic Index

EC-G .835 2.0 (poor)

EC-H .660 2.25 (fair)

EC-I .614 2.5 (fair)

EC-J .842 2.8 (good)

Nitrogen (mg/L)

Date ECG ECH ECI ECJ

21-Jun 0.92 1.80 1.80 1.50

28-Jun 0.35 0.86 0.84 0.96

5-Jul 0.82 0.94 0.98 0.96

12-Jul 0.40 0.96 0.78 0.62

19-Jul 0.66 0.77 0.87 0.72

26-Jul 0.23 0.37 0.66 0.88

2-Aug 0.25 1.00 0.96 1.00

9-Aug 0.20 0.34 0.56 0.36

16-Aug 0.22 0.38 0.46 0.58

23-Aug 0.50 0.84 0.42 0.62

30-Aug 0.38 0.86 0.90 1.00

Phosphorus (mg/L)

Date ECG ECH ECI ECJ

21-Jun 6.67 3.33 2.83 2.33

28-Jun 13.50 11.50 9.00 8.20

5-Jul 13.80 9.50 7.50 8.00

12-Jul 17.50 9.00 8.50 8.00

19-Jul 18.00 7.50 11.00 8.00

26-Jul 16.00 15.00 9.00 7.00

2-Aug 17.00 8.00 8.00 7.00

9-Aug 16.50 8.50 7.00 6.50

16-Aug 15.00 8.00 7.00 6.50

23-Aug 18.00 9.00 8.00 7.00

30-Aug 17.00 19.00 9.00 7.50

N & P Concentrations in Elk Creek

Chlorophyll Concentration by Site

IN-STREAM PRODUCTIVITY

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G H I J

Upstream to downstream

Chl

a [m

g/l] Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

N & P Trend Upstream to Downstream

-Data averaged over course of summer

-Decrease in Phosphorus downstream

-Possible Chlorophyll explanation?

-Nitrogen loading between EC-G & EC-H?

-Standard Practices for Measurement of Chlorophyll Content in Algae in Surface Waters (ASTM D3731-87)

-Algal Cells not responsible

-Some other mechanism, periphyton?

Nitrogen & Phosphorus Trend

EC-G

EC-H EC-I EC-JEC-G

EC-H

EC-IEC-J

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Location (Upstream to Downstream)

Nit

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(m

g/L

)

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Ph

os

ph

oru

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mg

/L)

Conclusions

Gilbert CreekData shows improvement in spawning habitat

and invertebrate diversity in restored areas

E.coli and Coliform levels being introduced to the creek are high. This is detrimental to the success of this trout stream.

Conclusions

Elk creek Invertebrate diversity represents water quality and

aquatic habitat quality. (Site J-most downstream)

N and P issues of concern

E.coli and Coliform levels are exceedingly high. Especially during rainfall events

Acknowledgments

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Ojibleau Chapter Trout Unlimited University of Wisconsin-Stout Biology City of Menomonie, Waste-Water Treatment

Facility Biology 135 Students, Fall 2005 Steve Nold, Department of Biology Martin Ondrist, Department of Chemistry