Biological Monitoring
Ford Brook
| Monitored By | Anoka Conservation District |
| Number of Years Monitored | 5.5 yrs |
| Background: Ford Brook originates in northwestern Anoka County from Ekstrom Lake. It flows southward to northern Ramsey where it joins Trott Brook and eventually enters the Rum River. This stream has some riffles and pools but is predominantly silty-bottom. The surrounding watershed is developing quickly but still contains large areas of undeveloped land. Many residential lots in this area are 5 acres. The sampling site is in the road right of way on the south side of Highway 63. This site has a rocky bottom with both riffles and pools. Deadfalls and overhanging bank vegetation are also common at this site. |
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| Results In 2006 only spring sampling occurred. The 2006 data was similar to previous years, indicating an average or slightly above average condition compared to other Anoka County streams. The total number of families was slightly above the county average, number of EPT families was slightly above average, and the Family Biotic Index was solidly above average. As in previous years, the dominant family was a moderately pollution-sensitive mayfly, a good sign of a quality stream. |
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| Discussion 2006 results are an improvement over 2005 when invertebrate abundance was low and stream health indices were lower than usual. This suggests that poor results in 2005 were due to environmental variability, not a developing problem. Water chemistry in Ford Brook has been monitored in the past, and good water quality was found except for elevated chlorides and conductivity, which were not found to regularly exceed the tolerances of aquatic life, and probably do not do so even periodically based upon the rich biota present. Supplemental water quality monitoring conducted during biomonitoring did not indicate sub-standard water quality (see table above). Significant development pressure is expected along Ford Brook and throughout its watershed in the coming years. Maintaining the good condition of this stream will be dependent upon careful siting of developments, carefully thought-out management to make sure stormwater discharges to the stream are high quality, and maintenance of buffers of natural vegetation along the stream. |
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