Roger, Carrick, Erik, and David: TLA’s 2011 Interns

The students worked with a team of TLA volunteers to gather some basic information about sediment entering Grass River from its three tributaries, Shanty Creek, Cold Creek, and Finch Creek.  The information gathered and the conclusions  were as follows:

• Observations and photographs in the Pine Brook development area indicate that stormwater from major storm events in Shanty Creek watershed is causing significant erosion.   Developing and implementing a stormwater management plan was recommended.
• 24 road-stream crossings were located and partially assessed, including several undersized culverts and two dams on Shanty Creek
• Based on data from one set of macroinvertebrate populations (aquatic insects) collected and evaluated from four locations stream qualities are only fair, compared to an expected good or excellent rating.
• Stream temperature data loggers installed installed in the tributaries show temperature profiles that are ideal for trout, i.e. Daily temperature fluctuations between 50 and 57 deg. F.

Four high school students successfully completed a Summer Internship with TLA, which included at least 60 hours of community-service time spent on this project, preparing & presenting a PowerPoint slide show of findings, and preparing this project report, with some mentoring assistance from TLA volunteers.  One of the students, Roger Barber, is from Kalkaska High School, and three students are from Central Lake High School, Carrick Conway, David Witt, & Erik Youmans.

The complete report can be downloaded in PDF form by clicking HERE