by John Kaplan | Apr 30, 2020 | Volunteer News
Our chapter’s monitoring efforts continue, even during a global pandemic! The Willow River is one of the several local rivers and streams that we monitor for water temperature and other variables. In April of 2016, temperature loggers were installed at three locations. One is located at the USGS water-flow monitoring site roughly a quarter mile downstream from Little Falls Dam. The other two are located roughly a quarter mile upstream from the Trout Brook Road bridge, one in the Main Branch and one in the Race.
The 2018 / 2019 data retrieved from the logger in the Race showed a minimum water temperature, in January 2018, of 32.04 degrees Fahrenheit (about as close to freezing as you can get!) to a maximum water temperature, in July 2019, of 76.0 degrees Fahrenheit. From what I’ve learned, this large temperature variance doesn’t bode well for trout populations. The water is too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer. An important thing to note is that this data was collected after the Little Falls Dam was removed.
In 2014 it was determined that the Little Falls Dam needed to be replaced. By the fall of 2015, the draw-down of Little Falls Lake was complete, and the dam was removed. This allowed the river to flow freely until early 2020 when a new dam was constructed, and Little Falls Lake began to fill in. As of today, the lake is nearly 100% full. As our monitoring continues, it will be interesting to see if the dam, and the impoundment behind it, will affect the water temperatures going forward.
—John Kaplan & Kent Johnson
by John Kaplan | Feb 21, 2020 | Volunteer News
With the successful completion of the 2019 pilot project, Kiap-TU-Wish anglers will again have the opportunity to monitor Pierce County trout streams and rivers in 2020, using the WiseH2O mApp (mApp). Thanks to those who participated in 2019, and our apologies to those iPhone users who signed up but were unable to use the mApp. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the 2019 project report, you can find it on the MobileH2O website: https://www. mobileh2o.com/anglerscience. This link also takes you to an interactive map that enables you to view the results of all 2019 mApp observations in Pierce County.
We are pleased to report that the iPhone version of the mApp is available, and the 2-in-1 test strips can be used to measure nitrite/nitrate concentrations. The mApp also has an updated look that should be more user-friendly. With these additions and improvements, we can fully implement the Kiap-TU-Wish monitoring plan in 2020 (https://www.mobileh2o.com/anglerscience).
Whether you were one of the 38 anglers who signed up in 2019, or whether you are an interested newcomer, please let John or Kent know if you would like to participate in 2020. The Target Anglers who signed up for 10 designated monitoring sites in 2019 will have the first opportunity to monitor at these locations in 2020. We’ll also continue with the category of General Anglers, who will have the flexibility to monitor throughout Pierce County.
Once John and Kent compile a list of 2020 project participants, we’ll send more details by e-mail in March and April. For those who are interested, it may also be possible to organize mApp training sessions at our March, April, and May chapter meetings. All 2020 participants (both Android and iPhone users) will need to download the latest version of the mApp. Instructions for doing so can be found at: https://www. mobileh2o.com/mh2oapp (scroll to the bottom of the page). A short video about the mApp is also available at this web location. National Trout Unlimited is placing a high priority on Angler Science and the benefits it provides: “Anglers gathering scientific information about the fish and the places they love”. Stream water quality
monitoring is one of the key Angler Science initiatives. On behalf of innovation and science for coldwater conservation, we thank you for your interest and look forward to working with you in 2020. If you have any questions or thoughts, please float them our way. —John and Kent
John Kaplan
Kiap-TU-Wish Monitoring Coordinator
jmk8990@comcast.net
612-963-1699 (Cell)
Kent Johnson
d.kent.johnson@gmail.com
612-845-7258 (Cell)
by John Kaplan | Feb 17, 2019 | Latest News
Trout Unlimited’s national science team is currently partnering with MobileH2O, LLC to develop a customized mobile application (WiseH2O mApp) that can be used by anglers to monitor water quality and habitat conditions in Driftless Area trout streams. Before launching the WiseH2O mApp for angler use on a broad regional scale, Kiap-TU-Wish members have been invited to participate in a pilot location that includes Pierce County, Wisconsin.
As a starting point, we’d like a broad cross-section of our chapter membership and friends to complete a short survey on the WiseH2O mApp. To take the survey, please click on the following link:https://goo.gl/forms/kk5HzmKecTYIUbUu2. Results of this survey will be used to ensure that the pilot is designed to meet the needs of the Trout Unlimited community. Your participation is much appreciated!
John Kaplan and Kent Johnson
