Root River

There was a considerable amount of iron oxidizing bacteria accompanied by bacteria film. There was additional branches with fruit on the shorelines.

The water is low that could be stressing the beaver families living on this river. Above this pool and below and is a small ripple of water moving through cobble. These are not ideal conditions for beavers (Castor canadensis)but this location is. There is a old concrete bridge peices that have blocked natural debris arranging a self containing lodge for the beavers. The water conductivity has increased but not at a harmful level for fish.

There is a orange bacteria type algae growing in several places on the shoreline. The algae is a lighter orange then the iron seaping from the sediment of the substrate.

The algae forming is different in shape from one another, some is floating and some are attached to the rocks, and they are different colours. There are long stringy pieces that look like they are lodged there rather then have grown on the branches. I suspect that they have been dislodged upstream an din rainfall events the algae is transported downstream to other areas of the stream or river. They get caught on natural debris finding a new place to iniate growth. This can be seen at site one Coldwater Creek as well.

The beavers came for a visit once again. This time they were fishing.
They brought fish corpses to me.
They are not scared of me but they do not like the sound of the vehicles coming.
The beavers need 2 feet of water to thrive in. There is no inland rivers and streams right now with that depth that is not their usual habitats for these species. I am concerned with the lack of water what type of stress this will cause on them.
Look at the pictures upstream. Usually there is a stream, and there is nothing.
There was algae present two new types, or shapes. There was iron oxide bacteria and some sort of algae that was orange and growing from it, see photos.
There was branches and such that the beavers have left in the water along shore for food.
There is an abundance of small fish, resembles Trout. Roughly 45-50 in the sample location.

There were two beavers that came on site while I was monitoring. I believe it was two of the original families from last season but I can not be sure. The water was very still, almost like a pool. There were many fish and one corpse. A perfect buffet location for the beavers at this time of year. I know where the dam is but that secret will stay safe with me.
There was iron-oxidizing bacteria by the new algae growth- see photos. There is brown algae and a brown sediment buildup. There is much erosion and the river is definitely wider, possibly that is why the river appears to be lower.

The walk down to the river is steep. The rocks have become increased eroded due to the heavy rainfall events. This had made the rocks unstable and is very difficult to approach unless wearing proper footwear.
There algae present that resembled cladaphora but could not be certain. There was iron oxidizing bacteria on the shoreline and the waters surface. Photos were taken. There was an several schools of fish that resembled trout but could not be certain. There was a larger fish that jumped under the bridge. The fallen tree has been moved up on shore and is out form in front of the bridge. There were song birds present and a robin in the wildflowers.

The rocks are uneven on the walk down the hill to the shoreline. Grassess have grown that have made it difficult to see where to safely put feet as walking down. Be careful.
There was fishing line found once again. The river was barely moving but can be seen with flow upstream and just below the sampling location. There was some fish fry present, approx. 8-10. There was iron oxidizing bacteria on the right bank in two areas showing orange and red hues leaching from the substrate. There was no wildlife seen. No birds.

Grasses blocking rocks so it is hard to see the unlevel ground and boulders sticking up. Be careful when approaching the water.
Iron-oxidizing bacteria observed near the monitoring location.
There is natural debris formed on the water surface on left bank of the Root River. The tree which was the identifying feature for water level has fallen down and is blocking water flow on left bank. The water is considerably lower than last season. The white square box in the river with cord has been swept downstream compared to last season, see photos for comparison. See comparison for dominant substrate changes.
The black flies and mosquitoes are bad- wear bug spray.

If you are driving parking can be difficult. Ensure to look for oncoming traffic as you pull into the area. The rocks down to the sample location are difficult and slippery. The terrain is uneven.
Fishing line tangled in two locations.
There was fishing line tangled up in two locations. This is plastic and can easily degrade.
There is a pile of natural debris across from the sample site. The foundation of it, is a tree that has fallen. This tree was a identifying marker for water level last season at this site. The vegetation is starting to surface.

UNSAFE TO ACCESS UNTIL SNOW IS OFF THE BANK DOWN TO THE SITE.
Ice on the water surface.
Tree that was used last season as a sample site indicator and a water level indicator has fallen, it was rotting and dead so it was just a matter of time before it made its way into the water system. This could create potential flooding if the tree catches other debris. No beavers seen in this area or dams at this location.

The site is currently inaccessible for water monitoring due to deep snow accumulation and unstable icy surface.

The water was shallow. Just starting salinity baseline for this area. There was a abundance of algae, still thriving on top of the Iron oxide bacteria. The rocks are very unstable , and I personally fell twice. The rain has eroded underneath the rocks and made them all not secure in the ground, I recommend no one comes to this site right now.