Trail Development Volume I - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is an assessment of the Trott Brook Corridor and its potential suitability for trail development within Anoka County. Specifically, this volume examines aquatic ecology, watershed characteristics, public opinion and trail maintenance. The authors examined Trott Brook per the request of Mr. Mark Boos, City of Ramsey ParkslUtilities Supervisor. The headwaters of Trott Brook are located west of the City of Ramsey, within Sherburne County, at Eagle Lake. The Brook discharges into the Rum River in Anoka County. The total length of the Brook is approximately 15.5 miles. In order to gain an understanding of the. current physical and chemical characteristics of Trott Brook, water was sampled and analyzed at three sites along the brook. Of the many parameters measured" two may be of concern to stewards of the brook. Total phosphorous increased dramatically along the path of the brook. This could be due to agricultural and urban inputs which have the potential to dramatically disturb the suitability of the stream for aquatic organisms. Low levels of dissolved oxygen, needed by all aerobic organisms, were also found in the brook. Both of these findings may be due to natural cycles that occur in the brook during the fall and, therefore, in order to determine the causes of these levels of dissolved oxygen and phosphorous, continued monitoring of these parameters is suggested. A bioassay was also conducted of the stream. The authors sampled for benthic macro invertebrates and researched the presence of aquatic organisms living within the watershed. The watershed seems to be supporting a diversity of aquatic life; however, Trott Brook is not suitable for stocking of trout or other game fish because of its high temperatures and shallow depths. Public opinion was researched through conducting informal surveys, scanning local media, and talking with local business people. The responses indicated that the majority of users of existing trails and the general public prefer uses such as walking, biking, cross country skiing, interpretive nature signs and running. Those surveyed prefer natural trails, low levels of development, with no motorized vehicles or hunting. The authors also interpreted a 1995 Anoka High School student survey designed to v