Biological Monitoring
Coon Creek
| Monitored By | Andover High School |
| Number of Years Monitored | 1 yrs |
| Background: Coon Creek originates in the southern part of the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area in western Columbus Township. It flows west, then south, and empties into the Mississippi River at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Coon Creek has a number of ditch tributaries. Landuse is an approximately equal mix of residential and vacant/agricultural with some small commercial sites. The landuse immediately surrounding the sampling site is vacant with residential on the south side of the creek and the high school campus on the north side. A vegetated buffer 20-100 feet wide is present at the sampling site, and is typical elsewhere. The banks are steep with moderate to heavy erosion in spots. The streambed is composed of sand and silt. The stream is 1 to 2.5 feet deep at baseflow and approximately 10-15 feet wide. | |
|
|
| Results Two Andover High School classes monitored this stream in both spring and fall 2006, facilitated by the Anoka Conservation District. In total, approximately 120 students were involved. In the first three years of monitoring this stream it was characterized as “slightly below average,” but 2006 results were above average. In fall 2006 23 families of invertebrates were found, the highest ever. The invertebrates were in high abundance; students easily captured hundreds. Despite this diversity and abundance, the pollution tolerance of these families was only slightly above average. This is not surprising given the moderate-to-poor water quality and sparse habitat in Coon Creek. |
|
| Discussion The supplemental stream water chemistry readings taken during biomonitoring indicate a higher than expected level of dissolved pollutants, as measured by conductivity. Conductivity and salinity were similar to, though not as extreme as, some urbanized streams at the same time of year. The source could be road salts, failing septic systems, and/or chemical wastes. Turbidity was also high. These factors, as well as the general lack of habitat in this ditched stream, probably limit the invertebrate community. |
|
