The Problem
Poor water quality and degraded habitat conditions can be major detriments to the health of our coldwater resources. Lack of available data on these conditions often hinders our understanding of where trout streams need protection and restoration. Therefore, accurate information is critical for targeting our limited conservation resources.
Angler Science Via Mobile Phone Technology
Using patented mobile phone technology and chemical test strips, MobileH2O, LLC has developed a water quality screening method that is fast, inexpensive, and easy for use by anglers wanting to understand water quality conditions and play a part in ensuring the health of their fisheries. Through angler science, natural resource managers have access to a larger quantity of relevant data, allowing them to better manage water quality to address protection and restoration needs.
TUDARE WiseH2O mApp
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. Via the TUDARE WiseH2O mApp, anglers can quickly make the following measurements:
• Alkalinity (mg/L)
• Hardness (mg/L)
• Nitrate-Nitrogen (mg/L)
• Nitrite-Nitrogen (mg/L)
• pH
• Orthophosphate (mg/L)
• Stream Disturbances
• Temperature (ºF)
Measurements of alkalinity, hardness, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2), pH, and orthophosphate can be made using test strips provided to participating anglers.
Observations of any local stream disturbances and/or habitat degradation can be made using photos and notes via the WiseH2O mApp. Examples of such disturbances may include fish barriers (culverts, beaver dams), livestock (grazing on banks or accessing the stream), stream bank erosion and siltation, trash, and drain tile inlets.
Water temperature can be measured using a high quality digital field thermometer, with the measurement entered in the WiseH2O mApp.
Kiap-TU-Wish Pilot Project
Before launching the TUDARE WiseH2O mApp for angler use on a broad regional scale, several pilot locations have been selected for testing within the Driftless Area. In 2019, Kiap-TU-Wish members have been invited to participate in a pilot location that includes Pierce County.
John Kaplan, who serves as the Kiap-TU-Wish Monitoring Coordinator, will lead the pilot project, with support from Kent Johnson. Here’s how you can be involved:
- Membership Survey: As a starting point, we’d like a broad cross-section of our membership to complete a short survey on the WiseH2O mApp, as a means to gauge interest in use of the app and assess the support needed for users. In early February, we’ll send a survey link via our Mailchimp contact list.
- Target Anglers: We need a small, hardy group of “target anglers” (8-12) who will be monitoring at designated stream sites on a prescribed schedule, to ensure that the project meets its goal of representing broad spatial and temporal variations in stream water quality throughout the Pierce County project location. Essentially, we’re asking each target angler to “adopt” a stream site and use the WiseH2O mApp approximately 10 times during the March-October period, generally once per month. A draft list of stream sites up for adoption is as follows:
• Kinnickinnic River in Lower Glen Park (River Falls)
• Rocky Branch Creek in Lower Glen Park (River Falls)
• South Fork Kinnickinnic River at 900th Street
• Trimbelle River at County Road W
• Rush River at 570th Avenue
• Eau Galle River at WI Highway 29 (near Spring Valley)
• Cady Creek at 50th Street (near Elmwood)
• Pine Creek at County Road AA (near Maiden Rock)
• Isabelle Creek at County Road EE (near Bay City)
• Plum Creek at Plum City Park
If you are interested in participating as a target angler, please contact John or Kent (see contact information above), and also indicate your preference for an adopted monitoring site. Sites can be adopted on a first come-first serve basis, so pick your angling favorite early! - General Anglers: We’d also like to invite a larger group of “general anglers” (50-100) to participate. These anglers will have the flexibility to monitor stream sites of their choice throughout Pierce County. Depending on the number of general anglers participating, each angler will be able to use the WiseH2O mApp 2-3 times during the March-October period, on their own schedule. If you are interested in participating as a general angler, please contact John or Kent.
The WiseH2O mApp will have a built-in training module, and the app has been designed for easy use. So there is no need to fear this technology if you’re a mobile phone user. Nonetheless, John and Kent will be well-trained users who are available for support. We may also schedule a training session in March for those who are interested. Stay tuned for more details on the March training session via RipRap or Mailchimp.
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. Kiap-TU-Wish participation in the TUDARE WiseH2O mApp pilot project provides us with an outstanding opportunity to showcase the use of mobile Angler Science technology, with the potential for expansion to regional and national stages. We invite your participation and are looking forward to working with you on this project!
Want to participate?
Contact John or Kent:
John Kaplan
K-TU Monitoring Coordinator
jmk8990@comcast.net
612-963-1699 (Cell)
Kent Johnson
d.kent.johnson@gmail.com
612-845-7258 (Cell)
The Driftless Area Restoration Effort (DARE), coordinated by Trout Unlimited, is a geographically-focused, scientifically based, broad partnership operating in support of the National Fish Habitat Partnership to improve rivers and streams throughout the Driftless Area region. The partnership was formed to jointly address the issues of habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation and alteration of cold, cool and warm water rivers and streams in the Driftless Area of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.
DARE’s goals are to:
• Reduce sediment and nutrient inputs to Driftless Area rivers and streams.
• Conserve and restore habitats that increase the natural abundance, diversity and health of fish and other aquatic life through landscape-scale community restoration and land protection efforts.
• Increase the quantity and quality of angling and other recreational opportunities.
• Increase public awareness about Driftless Area resources and the importance of aquatic conservation and restoration
Visit www.darestoration.com to learn more about DARE
(The Driftless Area Restoration Effort).
