Crystal Creek

There is still no evidence of sea lamprey hatching or larvae which makes me assume that the two lampreys seen and captured in the spring did not have a chance or the strength to reproduce, which is a positive thing. This should be observed annually to ensure that sea lamprey are not reproducing further upstream. Potentially ower and upper locations on the creek should be investigated for signs of sea lamprey reproduction such as gravel nests. The water below the sample location is below the rock walled area now an the sand island that existed is now moved and pile don left bank. Because the water is lower, sea lamprey would not have the ability to climb the water way unless the water goes above the wall as it did in the spring. The wall should be observed in future spring freshet to observe if sea lamprey as well as other fish make their way upstream.
There is increased dam on the culvert's edge which has been arranged by a beaver. The sticks have been chewed showing that it is a beaver. The dam is bigger then last week but not but not by that much. Very smart, as it is almost unnoticeable unless you observe closely.

The algae on the rocks has changed form, it is light brownish green and is on the rocks just prior to the culvert, it is shapped like snot but does not seem to resemble didymo, but I can not properly identify, it does not seem to be to me but I could be wrong. There is some brown algae on the rocks and some long stringy pieces on left bank shore where the water level is very shallow, receives high UV and has a good flow from the culvert pulling the water.

A dam is being creating to slow the water. It is a beaver. See photos. It is very small at the moment. There is algae on the rocks. I am not sure the type. I have not observed this type before.

There is two channels at the sample location this year as specified previously. The sample channel on right bank is the steady flow channel that does not have algae growth. The channel on left bank has algae beginning to form where it is shallow and more still then the right bank channel.
The natural debris buildup from the fallen tree has not gotten closer to the culvert since last monitored on July 11th 2025.
There was sand bag wrappers in the creek by the overflow ditch on the right bank by the level measure. They look like they are made of some sort of plastics.
The water is very low in the culvert, lowest that I have seen.

The grass has gotten very high. The cows parnip which can cause irritation in human skin has bloomed. Monitors can not see the ground while walking through the grass. The rocks are uneven and so is the ground. Ensure to make loud noises so that any wildlife hidden in the grass can been notified of your presence.
There were several song birds present. Two small fish jumped. There is an array of wild flowers that have bloomed. There are no sign of sea lamprey larvae or any that may have hatched in the gravel bed where the two lampreys were observed and identified.

Be safe and prepared with tick ger to walk through the long grasses and meadow wildflowers.
There is a large debris of natural nature, it is not related to beavers. The tree fell in the winter season and has been slowly moving closer to the culvert whenever there are large rainfall events. I have been monitoring the tree if it is to make its way to the culvert this site could become dangerous to sample. I will continue to monitor and give updates on the status of the monitoring site. There is no evidence of sea lampreys in the gravel sand bed. It has been 5 weeks since the sea lampreys were discovered at site #16. A robin(Turdus migratorius) was seen bathing in the creek.

The site is safe to access watch your step through the long grass, the uneven ground and random rocks can not be seen. Wear long pants and closed shoes, there is stinging needle and cows parsnip which can effect skin through causing pain, or rashes.
The sea lamprey body from last monitoring event, remains of tail were still on site. The sand-gravel bottom where the lampreys may have laid their eggs can be seen in the pictures provided. No observations of the female sea lamprey from last week or any other., There is visible lamprey eggs or juveniles.

The fence can be hard to cross to get to the sample location. Watch your footing for the lose rocks hidden by the grasses, sedges and other vegetation.
The creek has changed since last season. There are two stream runs, with a cobble, pebble island. The channels on either side of the stream have eroded and are deeper then last season. Check the depths and photos for verification.
Upstream there is a dam of debris from a massive tree that is not due to a beaver BUT there could be a beaver contributing to it in the future. There is evidence of a beaver in the area.
The culvert is approximately the same water level as last spring but downstream from the culvert sand pile has grown.

The site is NOT safe for anyone except Kiki

The site is dangerous to approach. You must approach the stop from the left bank and be careful on the rocks. This site is not safe to access for all volunteers right now.
Ice on the water surface.
There were no wildlife present. There were pine siskins, and chickadees present. The water level was high on both sides of the culvert- the south side of culvert was flowing over the riprap dam, which is good. There is a large mound of sand acquiring on left bank. The snowbank on the road sides are 1 meter high with pack. The tree has fallen in the middle of the creek, which could pose future problems for catching debris and possibility changing the course of the creek.

THE TERRAIN IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS SITE CAN NOT BE ACCESSED WITHOUT PROPER GUIDANCE. The terrain is snow covered with approx., 1 meter of snowpack. The left and right banks snow escarpments are hard packed, and unstable. The water is flowing under left bank and has created an overflow approx. a meter wide. The area is unsafe for anyone to enter unless you are trained in snow and ice readiness, survival, ad safety awareness and working near water in winter. ONLY GO WITH KIKI. She is certified. It is safe for Kiki, her mother was used as a emergency contact. She text upon arrival to each site and text a thumbs up when she left.
Storm water is a source of pollution in the immediate surroundings. Water Colour: Orange.
There was no birds or wildlife seen. No wildlife tracks. There was approx. 1 meter of snow pack at the site. The tree that was hanging in the river last season has fallen and is in the creek. It could become a problem at the culvert if a fast melt occurs. This should be monitored.