1. Cold Water Habitat Evaluation Gilbert Creek & Elk Creek June – August 2005 Matthew D. Rasmussen Applied Science Undergraduate UW-Stout Menomonie, WI 54751

2. Methods  Biological Information collected using Hobart H-10 Multimeter pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and salinity  Continuous Onset TidBit Temperature Loggers Collected water temperature every 30 minutes  Nitrogen & Phosphorus concentrations utilizing HACH Kit Compare results to USEPA standards  E.coli & Coliform testing Compare results to Wisconsin code NR 102.04  Water velocity using Global Waters FP-101 Flow Probe  Chlorophyll content in algae ASTM D3731-87 Study to analyze phosphorus trend in Elk Creek

3. Gilbert Creek

4. Findings - E.coli and Coliform levels are high - Levels are not to exceed 4 per mL - Correlate to rain fall

5. -Self-Sustaining buffer! -Presence of salinity buffers pH -May influence microbial species -Excellent environment to sustain brook trout

6. 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 CreekSimpson's Index of diversity(1-D) WAV Biotic Index South.61 2.0 (poor) Middle.63 2.2 (fair) North.81 2.8 (good)

7. Sediment Characteristics Site Sediment DepthDescription (meters) GC-A< 1Silt GC-B0.20Silt GC-C (2003)0.13Sand/Silt GC-D (2004)0.38Pebbles/Sand GC-E0.53Sand GC-F0.81Silt 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!

8. Elk Creek

9. -E. coli and Coliform levels are high -Levels are not to exceed 4 per mL -Correlate to rain fall

10. -No salinity = No buffer -Ground water infiltration creates an increase in pH over time -Rain fall has greater effect on water

11. Sediment Characteristics Quality of habitat increases down stream Restoration done above site G in 1999 Sediment Quality relates to biotic index Site Sediment DepthDescription (meters) EC-G0.46Silty Muck EC-H0.43Sand/Pebbles EC-I0.66Sand EC-J0.18 Rocks/pebbles (Ideal!!)

12. 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.8352.0 (poor) EC-H.6602.25 (fair) EC-I.6142.5 (fair) EC-J.8422.8 (good)

13. Nitrogen (mg/L) DateECGECHECIECJ 21-Jun0.921.80 1.50 28-Jun0.350.860.840.96 5-Jul0.820.940.980.96 12-Jul0.400.960.780.62 19-Jul0.660.770.870.72 26-Jul0.230.370.660.88 2-Aug0.251.000.961.00 9-Aug0.200.340.560.36 16-Aug0.220.380.460.58 23-Aug0.500.840.420.62 30-Aug0.380.860.901.00 Phosphorus (mg/L) DateECGECHECIECJ 21-Jun6.673.332.832.33 28-Jun13.5011.509.008.20 5-Jul13.809.507.508.00 12-Jul17.509.008.508.00 19-Jul18.007.5011.008.00 26-Jul16.0015.009.007.00 2-Aug17.008.00 7.00 9-Aug16.508.507.006.50 16-Aug15.008.007.006.50 23-Aug18.009.008.007.00 30-Aug17.0019.009.007.50 N & P Concentrations in Elk Creek

14. Chlorophyll Concentration by Site 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?

15. Conclusions Gilbert Creek  Data 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.

16. 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

17. 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