Macroinvertebrate
Macroinvertebrate
In 2021, a new monitoring program started called the “Macroinvertebrate Monitoring” program started. The program is intended to further monitor water quality of our streams but through the assessment of biological organisms (macroinvertebrates), which are invertebrate microorganisms, i.e. dragonfly larvae, stonefly larvae, etc. The presence or lack thereof certain species can be indicative to the health of the stream. Staff read and followed the MPCAs “Sampling Protocols” for stream assessments, locations, sampling methods and data sheets. Also, through the help of training from staff at the Scott SWCD and also Met Council, WMO staff became familiar with how to determine where to sample. The trainings also included the different habitats to look for as sampling locations and also how to use the nets the most effective way.
Currently the WMO has two sites where they monitor, one on Sand Creek and the other on the Credit River. The Sand Creek location is just downstream of the waterfall in the City of Jordan. This stretch of stream provided public access to it and also a way to monitor downstream of the falls. In future years, we hope to expand to a second site on Sand Creek that is upstream of the falls. Having two locations on Sand Creek up-and downstream of the falls may show different species present.
The site at Credit River is located at Hidden Valley Park in the City of Savage. Once again, this access point provided public access and met all the parameters for picking a segment of stream to conduct the sampling on.
In future years, we hope to expand the program to include additional streams for monitoring such as Porter Creek, Raven Stream and/or Roberts Creek. Such as the case with Sand Creek, we may also find additional sampling locations to complete the monitoring on the various streams.
All samples are collected and sent off to a laboratory for an analysis to be completed.