Nemadji River Watershed NemadjiRestoration River an Watershedd Protection Project StressorStressor Identification Identification Report Report A study of local stressors limiting the biotic communities in the Nemadji River Watershed. August 2014 Legislative Charge Minn. Statutes § 116.011 Annual Pollution Report A goal of the Pollution Control Agency is to reduce the amount of pollution that is emitted in the state. By April 1 of each year, the MPCA shall report the best estimate of the agency of the total volume of water and air pollution that was emitted in the state the previous calendar year for which data are available. The agency shall report its findings for both water and air pollution, etc. HIST: 1995 c 247 art 1 s 36; 2001 c 187 s 3 Authors Principal Authors: Jason Naber (Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.) Meghan Jacobson, PhD (Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.) Other Authors: Christian Lenhart, PhD (Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.) Annie Weeks (Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.) Mike Majeski (Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.) Contributors / acknowledgements Karen Evens (MPCA) Jeff Jasperson (MPCA) Gregory Johnson (MPCA) Brad Matlack (Carlton SWCD) Neva Widner (Carlton SWCD) Deserae Hendrickson (MDNR) Karl Kohler (MDNR) Kirstin Stutzman (MDNR) Editing and Graphic Design Sonya Carel (Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.) Cover photo: Jason Naber – Nemadji River The MPCA is reducing printing and mailing costs by using the Internet to distribute reports and information to wider audience. Visit our web site for more information. MPCA reports are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled content paper manufactured without chlorine or chlorine derivatives. 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-ws5-04010301a 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-ws5-04010301a Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 4 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 6 Key Terms & Definitions................................................................................................................................ 8 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 10 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 19 1.1. Monitoring and Assessment ....................................................................................................... 19 1.2. Stressor Identification Process .................................................................................................... 20 1.3. Common Stream Stressors .......................................................................................................... 22 1.4. Report Format ............................................................................................................................. 23 2. Overview of the Nemadji River Watershed ........................................................................................ 24 2.1. Background ................................................................................................................................. 24 2.1.1. Red clay zone versus headwater streams ........................................................................... 24 2.2. Monitoring Overview .................................................................................................................... 4 2.3. Summary of Biological Impairments and Data ............................................................................. 6 2.3.1. Index of Biological Integrity .................................................................................................. 6 2.3.2. Individual IBI Metric Scores................................................................................................... 8 2.3.3. Tolerance Indicator Values ................................................................................................. 11 2.4. Watershed Health Assessment Framework ................................................................................ 13 3. Possible Stressors to Biological Communities..................................................................................... 14 3.1. Eliminated Causes ....................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.1. Total Phosphorus ................................................................................................................ 15 3.2. Inconclusive Causes .................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.1. Heavy metals (aluminum toxicity) ...................................................................................... 16 3.3. Summary of Candidate Causes ................................................................................................... 18 3.3.1. Historic Flow Alteration ...................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2. Recent Flow Alteration ....................................................................................................... 21 3.3.3. Physical Habitat Quality ...................................................................................................... 29 3.3.4. Habitat Fragmentation ........................................................................................................ 32 3.3.5. Dissolved Oxygen ................................................................................................................ 34 3.3.6. Water Temperature ............................................................................................................ 38 3.3.7. Suspended Solids/ Turbidity ............................................................................................... 41 4. Evaluation of Candidate Causes by AUID ............................................................................................ 46 4.1. Elim Creek (04010301-501) ......................................................................................................... 46 Nemadji River Watershed Stressor Identification Report ● August 2014 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 1 4.1.1. Biological Communities ....................................................................................................... 49 4.1.2. Evaluation of Candidate Causes .......................................................................................... 51 4.1.3. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 57 4.2. Rock Creek (04010301-508) ........................................................................................................ 58 4.2.1. Biological Communities ....................................................................................................... 61 4.2.2. Evaluation of Candidate Causes .......................................................................................... 63 4.2.3. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 70 4.3. Blackhoof River (04010301-519) ................................................................................................. 71 4.3.1. Biological Communities ....................................................................................................... 74 4.3.2. Evaluation of Candidate Causes .......................................................................................... 76 4.3.3. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 80 4.4. Clear Creek (04010301-527) ....................................................................................................... 81 4.4.1. Biological Communities ....................................................................................................... 84 4.4.2. Evaluation of Candidate Causes .......................................................................................... 86 4.4.3. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 89 4.5. Deer Creek (04010301-531) ........................................................................................................ 90 4.5.1. Biological Communities ....................................................................................................... 93 4.5.2. Evaluation of Candidate Causes .......................................................................................... 95 4.5.3. Summary ..........................................................................................................................