Crow Wing River Watershed Stressor Identification Report
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z c Crow Wing River Watershed Stressor Identification Report Determination of stress factors affecting aquatic biological communities April 2014 Author The MPCA is reducing printing and mailing costs Kevin Stroom (MPCA) by using the Internet to distribute reports and information to wider audience. Visit our web Contributors/acknowledgements site for more information. Dave Friedl (MDNR) - Geomorphological field MPCA reports are printed on 100% post- work and data analysis/conclusions. consumer recycled content paper manufactured without chlorine or chlorine Mike Kelly (MDNR) - Geomorphological field derivatives work, culvert assessments, and Straight River information. Chuck Johnson (MPCA) - Field observations and comments assisting stressor determination. Manuscript reviewers: Bonnie Finnerty (MPCA) Darrin Hoverson (MDNR) Mike Sharp (MPCA) Karsten Klimek (MPCA) Project dollars provided by the Clean Water Fund (from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Editing and graphic design Amendment). Cover photo: Kevin Stroom – Straight River Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North | Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194 | www.pca.state.mn.us | 651-296-6300 Toll free 800-657-3864 | TTY 651-282-5332 This report is available in alternative formats upon request, and online at www.pca.state.mn.us Document number: wq-ws5-07010106 Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................................1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................5 The watershed .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Important natural features ........................................................................................................................... 5 Identification of aquatic stressors in the CWRW ........................................................................................ 13 Initial steps ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Land use/cover ................................................................................................................................... 13 Candidate stressors .......................................................................................................................... 15 Investigations organized by impaired stream .................................................................................... 16 Unnamed tributary to Shell River (AUID 07010106-553) .................................................................... 16 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 16 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 17 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 17 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Bender Creek (AUID 07010106-691) .................................................................................................. 17 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 17 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 17 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 18 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Unnamed tributary to the Crow Wing River (AUID 07010106-687) ..................................................... 21 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 21 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 21 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 22 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Tower Creek (AUID 07010106-528) ................................................................................................... 25 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 25 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 25 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 28 Chemistry ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................ 35 Upper Shell River (AUID 07010106-537) ............................................................................................ 37 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 37 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 40 Chemistry ........................................................................................................................................... 44 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 45 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 56 Swan Creek (AUID 07010106-527) .................................................................................................... 57 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 59 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 64 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 68 Farnham Creek (AUID 07010106-522) ............................................................................................... 69 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 70 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 70 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 72 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 72 Indian Creek (AUID 07010106-569) ................................................................................................... 72 Review of the subwatershed .............................................................................................................. 72 Review of initial data .......................................................................................................................... 74 Targeted investigation and results ..................................................................................................... 75 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 76 Observed stressors at other locations ............................................................................................... 76 Partridge River .................................................................................................................................... 76 Dam on Partridge River ...................................................................................................................... 77 Channel damage by cattle/horses ...................................................................................................... 77 Road crossings .................................................................................................................................... 79 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................79 References .......................................................................................................................................81 Appendix 1. 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