Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 12/01/2014

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sites in 2013) to accommodate the diagnostic needs of the Rum River and Coon Creek WRAPS reports. Biomonitoring of Streams — The stream biological monitoring program is both an educational program and a stream health assessment tool. The biomonitoring program relies upon students, with guidance from their teachers, to conduct the sampling and rudimentary sample sorting as part of their high school ecology curriculum. The program uses benthic (bottom dwelling) macroinvertebrates to determine stream health. Because of their extended exposure to stream conditions and sensitivity to habitat and water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates can serve as good indicators of stream health. Each year there are approximately 500 students from six high schools who monitor six sites under ACD supervision. Rum River Watershed Outlet Monitoring Program — ACD operates the Metropolitan Council's water quality and quantity monitoring station in the City of Anoka on the Rum River. Lake Level — Volunteers monitor water levels in 22 lakes. ACD coordinates this effort by installing and surveying lake gauges, providing datasheets, quality checking data, and submitting data to the DNR for their website. Stream Hydrology/Discharge — A variable number of streams each year have continuous water level monitoring devices. Formerly we monitored 8-12 sites but have reduced that to 6 sites due to a lack of funds. This monitoring is often paired with water quality studies so pollutant loading calculations and modeling can be done. Reference Wetland — Wetland regulations often focus on determining whether an area is or isn't a wetland. This is difficult at times because most wetlands are not continually wet. In order to facilitate fair, accurate wetland determinations the ACD monitors 18 wetlands throughout the county that serve as a reference of conditions. Electronic monitoring wells are used to measure subsurface water levels at the wetland edge every four hours up to a depth of 40 inches. This hydrologic information, along with examination of the vegetation and soils, aids in accurate wetland determinations and delineations. These reference wetlands represent several wetland types. Some have been monitored for 15+ years. Observation Well - The DNR and ACD are interested in understanding Minnesota's groundwater quantity and flow. The DNR maintains a network of groundwater observation wells across the state. ACD is contracted to take monthly water level readings at 15 wells in Anoka County from March through December. The DNR incorporates these data into a statewide database that aids in groundwater trend mapping. Rain Gauge Network— Precipitation can be quite variable across the county. In order to obtain accurate data to pair with other hydrological monitoring programs ACD manages a network of 6 datalogging rain gauges and 15 manual gauges operated by volunteers. Inventory Resource inventories are just as important as monitoring. Inventories provide resource information essential to the development of successful conservation projects. ACD is page 22 Anoka Conservation District Comprehensive Plan October 2014