Sault Ste. Marie Water Rangers Team

Observations

• 27 April 2025

  Bellevue Marina by Community Volunteers

  The water is dirty use gloves when sampling its very important that the water does not tou=ch your skin as there were oily sheen observed possibility from last season. Odour: Rotten Eggs - Hydrogen Sulphur. There were 6 seagulls, 2 loons and 2 Golden Eyes on the water. There were also a qautic begeation floating on the waters surface it could have been transported by a boat. There were two boats in the marina parked. There were two geese on the waters edge where community members were fishing.

• 24 April 2025

  Whitefish Island East Viewing Platform by Community Volunteers

  The ice was present at the sample location but a safe access is found just upstream of the platform. Never approach the river if you have to go across ice on moving water. This is dangerous. Ice on the water surface. Odour: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). There were a few fishermen on the river, wasnt able to find out what they were fishing for. They were able to cross and walk through the rapids with strength. Possibility catching Rainbow trout - but none were seen or seen caught. The ice was surrounding the river body. The flow through the islnad was slow and not moving but the water in the rapids was moving fiercly and turning over well, which would be expected in spring turnover as the freshet melts.

• 23 April 2025

  Root River Wishart Park by Community Volunteers

  The sample location could not be accessed due to flooding throughout Wishart park. The park was inaccessible due to flooding from freshet and rain. There is a small creek running through and on the paths.

• 20 April 2025

  Whitefish Island East Viewing Platform by Community Volunteers

  The water level was very low, therefore, I couldn't monitor near the East Viewing Point. I went bit upstream near the Rapids. Park is a pollution sources in the immediate surroundings

• 20 April 2025

  Bellevue Park duck pond by Community Volunteers

  The pond is completely melted, but snow can be seen on some part of the bank. poop, plastics, foam and algae on the water surface. Do not monitor without gloves. I couldn't monitor dissolved oxygen because i could get water without all those floating. Lots of birds in the water and people are feeding them. Park is a pollution sources in the immediate surroundings

• 20 April 2025

  Bellevue Park Topsail Island by Community Volunteers

  A dead bird observed near the location. Floating algae on the surface. Algae can be see in the underwater pictures, but it's not so much. The water level seems to be low as compared to normal. Park is pollution sources in the immediate surroundings

• 19 April 2025

  Upper Carp River at Creek Rd/Third Line W by Community Volunteers

  Uneven boulder to access this location, watch your footing.

• 18 April 2025

  Root River Wishart Park by Community Volunteers

  It is safe , be careful from overflowing and fast moving waters. Don't go in the water. Beavers are busy cutting down all the trees but no sign of a dam or lodge. The old lodge had 5 young beavers but has since been destroyed by the force of the melted freshet. The beavers know when to make way for the Water flowing, while she accomplished her spring purpose:)

• 13 April 2025

  Big Carp River Herkimer Rd by Community Volunteers

  Reached to the new location according to the GPS coordinates given by SSMRCA. The surrounding area of the river is still covered in snow. The road is above the river level so that could be difficult to access the river. There is no safe area to park the vehicle so this could be challenging.

• 13 April 2025

  Cold Water Creek at Old Garden River Road by Community Volunteers

  The site is safe to access from on right bank. This is the easiest way to sample, so that the snow bank does not break off when standing on it. Odour: The culverts have a rotting smell coming out of them probably from decompostion. Four Blue Herons seen- were scared a flew away when arrived. They were eatting near the algae. Or eatting the algae but not sure of which species they were interested in- they did not look interested in the cladaphoria.

• 13 April 2025

  Upper Carp River at Creek Rd/Third Line W by Community Volunteers

  The monitoring location is still inaccessible. Snow hasn't completely melted yet. Both banks are completely covered in the snow and not safe to access the location as boulders on the banks are uneven and not stable either.

• 13 April 2025

  Root River Fourth Line E by Community Volunteers

  Yes it is safe be careful of high waters- do not enter water at this time until the freshet has melted. Ice on the water surface. There is immense erosion happening on left bank. The rip rap has been taken out by a large mass of water flow that must have taken the whole bank out- there is dirt and debris eroding into the river. There was no sign of wildlife, even birds. The snow pack on right bank was .78 of a metre. Today, the river was the loudest I have hear it.

• 13 April 2025

  East Davignon Creek Allens Side (N of 2nd Ln W) by Community Volunteers

  Park vehicle near the turn to the Avery BAR-X PIT board in the winter. Right bank is still completely covered in the snow, but the left bank is accessible. Snow is melting so be careful and wear snow boots to monitor at this location. Algae can be seen in the underwater picture, however, It is not very much as compared to last year. Lots of sand is visible as a substrate on the river bed. The Water level is higher than usual.

• 13 April 2025

  Root River off Hwy 17 N (near Teen Challenge) by Community Volunteers

  The site is safe to access- There was no evidence of iron oxidizing bacteria, this site was red and orange in fall with evidence of many pools of iron oxidizing bacteria. No signs of any but an abundance of white fishy foam.

• 13 April 2025

  East Davignon Farwell Terrace (near Tim Hortons) by Community Volunteers

  The water level and the flow were really high. Observed two outflows merging into the creek, and they are in the culvert under the bridge. Not sure these outflows are of the road discharge or something else. lots of birds dropping around the monitoring location. Snow on the right bank hasn't melted yet but the left side is clear to monitor. Access to the location has a steep slope, so be careful. Park vehicle in the Tim Hortons parking lot and walk down to the monitoring location.

• 13 April 2025

  Fort Creek Channel at Carmen's Way by Community Volunteers

  While I was at the location, I noticed a strong odour either of a chemical or petroleum that would come and go intermittently. The smell would last for couple of minutes, then disappear, and return shortly after. This pattern kept happening the entire time I was there. Park/Recreation in the immediate surroundings.

• 12 April 2025

  West Davignon Brookfield Ave by Community Volunteers

  The water level was really high. There was a construction going on upstream of the creek. Controlled structure at the channel is not letting water to enter in Bennett Creek, but it is directly flowing into the Bennett - West Davignon Channel which flows near to the Sault Ste. Marie West End Wastewater Treatment Plant. The location is still covered in the snow, but the left bank of the channel has a clear area to monitor safely. To access this location in winter, park vehicle near to the French Immersion school at the end of Brookfield Ave. The location has a steep slope, so be careful. Both banks are covered with bare vegetation and snow. Wear gloves to monitor at this location. Downstream of this location, at Bennett Creek, there is another water outflow, maybe it is the outflow of a roadside ditch.

• 12 April 2025

  Gros Cap - Lake Superior by Community Volunteers

  The beach is frozen. Don't have access point to monitor water quality. The monitoring location at the beach has more snow than last week.

• 12 April 2025

  Bellevue Park Topsail Island by Community Volunteers

  Trail down to shoreline had broken branches, last observation had no indication of access to this area. Ice on the water surface. Park/Recreation is the immediate pollution source in the surroundings. Why don't we measure the air temperature at the beginning?

• 11 April 2025

  Canon Creek Old Goulais Bay Rd by Community Volunteers

  Can not access this site- there is no water to sample and the site is hidden behind a snow bank.