Bad River Data Presented At Town Of Morse

Last night at the Town of Morse municipal building, two staff members of the Bad River Watershed Association presented the results of their water quality study of the streams in the area of the proposed Gogebic Taconite mine site.

Valeria Damstra, watershed volunteer coordinator, and Matt Hudson, watershed action director, presented their findings on macro-invertebrates and water temperature, both good indicators of water quality. The meeting was well-attended by approximately 100 interested people including many local officials, land owners, Gogebic Taconite representatives, and other interested persons.

The Bad River Watershed Association is celebrating its tenth year of studies in the watershed. Facing a potential open pit iron mine in the Penokee-Gogebic Range, the watershed association has accelerated its study efforts, working closely with U.S. Geological Society, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Bad River Natural Resources Department, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Three rivers in the watershed have been designated Outstanding Water Resources: the Tyler Forks, Potato, and Bad rivers. 254 streams of the state’s 53,413 receive this designation.

Last May the Bad River Watershed Association and their many volunteers began monitoring about a dozen streams in the area near the proposed mine site to get a baseline measurement of water quality. Data recorded can determine natural versus human-caused pollution occurring now to compare to data collected in the future as mining progresses. It can also help scientists to predict mining impacts.

Damstra gave a power point presentation on the variety and amount of macro-invertebrates, aquatic bugs large enough to be seen with the naked eye, in the streams the association studied between May through November 2011. Samples were taken in 100-square-foot areas in several locations, and invertebrates in the samples were then identified and counted. Since some invertebrate families are less tolerant of pollution than others, the count could provides an indication of existing water pollution. The conclusion was that while minor amounts of natural pollution were seen, this bug data revealed excellent quality water in all areas studied.

Hudson then presented the results of the temperature study. Again, from May through November, the temperature of the streams was recorded every hour, for 24 hours each day. He explained that temperature and flow of the water determine the species that can live in a particular water body. Streams were classified as cold, cool, and warm, but those classifications are not indicators of quality but only of ideal habitat for certain aquatic species. Average water temperatures, can vary somewhat from year to year depending on the amount of rain and snow and average air temperatures. Those streams fed by groundwater are less likely to fluctuate in temperature, while those fed by surface water are more likely to do so. Since there is this variation in weather, a four-year study would be required by the association to get an accurate baseline. Then, that data could be used to monitor the impact of mining on water temperature.

In closing, the presenters stressed that anyone concerned with the effects of the mine on water quality should ask very specific questions for future groundwater study. Questions such as, “How will the taconite mine affect . . . trout streams . . . my ability to get water from my well . . . the waterfalls at Copper Falls, etc.?” will elicit more specific answers than broad questions like, “How will it affect Lake Superior?” As soon as Gogebic Taconite presents its proposal, extensive studying will be done by the association, and these questions could then be answered. Meanwhile, it is important for local officials to become informed and get involved in the mining studies.

For more information on the Bad River Watershed Association, their activities and volunteer opportunities, please see their website: www.badriverwatershed.org.