Sault Ste. Marie Water Rangers Team

Observations

• 29 March 2025

  Dacey Rd at St. Marys River by Community Volunteers

  The site is safe, it is slippery on the snow and on wet rocks. Storm Water is a pollution source in the immediate surroundings. Odour: Decomposing. The site was much higher then prior. The garbage in the water has been washed away. There was new scum in the flood channel. The algae is becoming more vibrant and alive. The site receives sun most of the day. The rocks are orange and red from what looks like rust.

• 29 March 2025

  Root River Wishart Park by Community Volunteers

  The site is unsafe to access unless you are wearing rubber boots. The banks have been swept away and the water is up against the left and right bank. The water is not deep so it can be sampled if it can be reached safely with boots. Ice on the water surface. Park/Recreation is a pollution source in the immediate surroundings. The site was different from past weeks monitoring- water has moved the banks. No landslides yet. The water was cloudy but there was a rainfall event 24 hrs prior. Physical characteristics could not be accomplished due to safety concerns. No birds yet. No sign of beaver. The tee from the top of the river has moved down stream and stuck on another tree. The snow pack is .64 metres.

• 29 March 2025

  Cold Water Creek at Old Garden River Road by Community Volunteers

  The banks of snow on the edges are about to fall, it=f the weather warns be sure to use right bank to access water. This is because the sun hits right bank and you can see solid ground. The algae is incredible. It is growing in strange patterns and in perfect circles. I will investigate the algae under the microscope to identify species. The area the algae is growing looks like there is a geological formation and a stump decomposing, potentially feeding the algae. There were tracks that look like a muskrat coming out of the water on left bank. The snow is pack so very easily and safe to move on.

• 27 March 2025

  Root River Hwy 17E by Community Volunteers

  The left and right banks are ice-covered for a 1-meter into the water body. Sampling can only be accomplished with a long grab pole. The snow pack is approximately still 3 feet, as it gets softer, it is much easier to fall through. Watch your ankles. Ice on the water surface. Both banks were covered in snow, and observed beaver activities. Water temperature was -1, but observation form is not allowing numbers below 0, so entered 0 degree Celsius.

• 27 March 2025

  Bellevue Park Topsail Island by Community Volunteers

  Big boat passing, there were some potential hazards such as lots of snow could be slippery while testing the water and the entrance was quite slippery as well, there were so many mallards and some plastic garbage were seen at the sight. Ice on the water surface.

• 26 March 2025

  Dacey Rd at St. Marys River by Community Volunteers

  This small stream flowing through through a culvert under a road, surrounded by snow-covered banks. Banks are steep and covered in snow with some exposed vegetation and patches of dead grass visible. Steep slopes can be slippery. Wear gloves while monitoring at this location. Iron-oxidizing bacteria observed. Storm water is pollution source in the immediate surrounding.

• 26 March 2025

  Drake St. Park by Community Volunteers

  The edge of the creek is covered in snow. Do not go to the edge of the creek because the snow is melting. Wear snow boots and gloves to monitor at this location. Water is partially frozen. Observe 4 Mallards in the upstream. Park/Recreation and Storm Water are pollution sources in the immediate surroundings. Air temperature was -3 but feels like -6

• 22 March 2025

  Fort Creek Channel at Carmen's Way by Community Volunteers

  The water is dirty. An uneven ground surface (with big boulders) covered in snow could be a challenge. Please wear boots and gloves while monitoring this location. This location has 4 outflows, so please monitor two rectangular-shaped concrete outflows. The bank is partially covered in snow. Air temperature with wind chill was -19 degrees Celsius.

• 22 March 2025

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

  The snow is starting to melt, allowing more water to flow into the creek. Please wear snow boots and gloves while monitoring this location. The water is cloudy, but there are visible patches of foam and some natural debris along the edges. The banks are still covered in snow, but exposed areas reveal flattened vegetation from the winter. Water Temperature is -3 but system is not allowing to enter the value below 0 therefore I have mentioned 0 degree Celsius.

• 21 March 2025

  Root River Wishart Park by Community Volunteers

  The water is very high, on the path to the sample site do not go close to the edge. The banks are unstable because they have been broken off by a suspected large flow of flow, took the escarpment sand the banks with them There was a debris island upstream from the site, that is now downstream where the fallen tree is. There could become a dam, and the overflow could become unsafe very easily if we have a combination of large rainfall events and increased debris. No sign of a beaver. The new bridge is up that will connect third line and fourth. I think this is the perfect spot to monitor the Root River over next winter, it will be safe. Park/Recreation is a pollution source in the immediate surroundings. Water colour: Red. The water was so high. There was foam, a lot of it, and it was stuck in the ice sheet. The force oof the river pushed in up on the surface of the ice. The banks are eroded and parts are gone. Shallow areas are now dug up in the gravel, must have been from the strength of the flow. The hydro is unreal right now. There were no birds, the bridge is up. The garbage and couches have been taken away. So avalanche on the clay cliff yet that is visible. There were several dogs off leash, it was not okay. The snow pack is 24 inches

• 21 March 2025

  Cold Water Creek at Old Garden River Road by Community Volunteers

  The site is safe overall, the sample must be taken from right bank because when accessing the sample area, the snow bank escarpment can not be seen. The right bank receives more sunlight so the snow is pack and the grass banks of the creek can be seen to access safely. Odour: Decomposing/Rotting. There were deer tracks and two mallards on the creek, a male and a female. This is my first sightings of wildlife on this creek, besides a beaver. The aquatic vegetation, not sure what it was. Will look up, pictures include the vegetation. There is some incredible algae in the cold water that looks like it is growing in formations like fungus up walls. The algae are perfect circles, very strange observation. Will look into it further, and the species type.

• 21 March 2025

  Dacey Rd at St. Marys River by Community Volunteers

  The site is safe, but be careful there is a raccoon or a muskrat living in the hole by the long grass just past the flood gate. The snow is unstable, and can easily slip or sink into the snow. Proper winter gear is required. Storm Water is a pollution source in the immediate surrounding. There were a total of 7 geese that flew by and went to land in St Mary's but changed their mind. There is large amounts of what looks like rust, or iron on most of the rocks on the run to the river. Could be from corrosion of pipes underground that the water is picking up. There is litter in the water body and large amounts of microplastics particles that can be seen with the naked eye. The scum has decreased since last visit, and the odor can only be found immediately above the culvert, and heat can be felt rising.

• 21 March 2025

  Drake St. Park by Community Volunteers

  The snow is not packed and you can easily fall through, it is approx. 2 feet deep. It is easy to twist a limb if you sink in the snow twisted. Watch your footing, otherwise safe to access. Park/Recreation and Storm Water are also pollution sources in the immediate surroundings. Dissolved oxygen was not taken because Natalie did not have the lid for the sample cup when she took the sample. Interesting there was zero water fowl on the water body. The water grass has begun to turn green in areas. There was garbage in the water. A plastic water bottle, plastic wrappers and plastic bottle label. There were smaller particles that the camera could not pickup.

• 13 March 2025

  Dacey Rd at St. Marys River by Community Volunteers

  The site is snow and ice covered on the banks. It can be accessed. Storm Water is one of pollution sources in the immediate surroundings. There is a muskrat or some large rodent creature that hisses lives in the hole in the grass on the creek. The creek gates coming from under ground was full of brown foam and sludge bacteria and potentially feces. This is a stormwater channel that is from a large catchment area that releases in the freshwaters of St. Marys River. See photos.

• 13 March 2025

  Drake St. Park by Community Volunteers

  The snow is deep and can sink easily because of the melt. Be careful not to twist a leg or knee when the snow is this soft. Park/recreation and Storm Water are also pollution sources in the immediate surroundings. Odour: Decomposing/Rotting. The water was not as high as it has been on warmer days when the freshet has melted. There was much plastic moving downstream. The chloride strips activate quickly in higher temperatures of plus 5 and above.

• 12 March 2025

  Drake St. Park by Community Volunteers

  The site is safe to access for all monitors. The edge of right bank is about to collapse but this creates no safety hazards or concerns for monitoring. Park/Recreation and Storm Water are pollution sources in the immediate surroundings. The chloride test started developing faster in the warmer water outside. When I brought into car, it only took 2:56 to develop. So water temperature and air temperatures are variables with the test strips. Many mallards on creek, too many to count.

• 12 March 2025

  Whitefish Island East Viewing Platform by Community Volunteers

  The walk to the site is strenuous currently due to the melting snow pack. The site is accessible but the ice is thin. In the next few days ice sheets will melt and move and the site will become unsafe until the ice has broken up off shore. The ice looks thick but it is not water is travelling below the ice. This can be seen where overflow has made air pockets. Chloride test used for reference. Freshwater at Whitefish showing 0 chloride. There were many mallards, squirrels and chickadees. They were fed by some locals, the seeds can be seen. There is also dog feces everywhere. Liberally everywhere. Park/Recreational is a pollution source in the immediate surroundings.

• 11 March 2025

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

  The site is overflowing with hard and loose pack snow. Left bank is accessible from the driveway, over the bank which faces south sun, which melts the snow on the left bank faster. There is a cobble stone and decaying grassy beach visible that can be accessed safely with proper grip shoes. If the water level increases, we should not approach this site as it will make the snow banks on left and right bank vulnerable. Ice on the water surface. Decomposing/Ro odour. The vegetation could be considered meadow as the grass are left high around the edge. The water colour was better than last monitoring, less turbid looking. The snow is approx .50 metre deep along shore but maybe a foot on concrete basin. This site might need to be monitored twice to three times a week upon spring freshet. This melt might occur next week.

• 10 March 2025

  Dacey Rd at St. Marys River by Community Volunteers

  The site is mainly safe, the footing to the location can be uneven. The water is very dirty here, gloves and sanitizer are suggested for sampling. There is a muskrat living. Storm Water is one of pollution sources in the immediate surroundings. The water was milky grey, and brown and was warm in comparison to exterior temperatures - orange residue on the surface of the shore and at the bottom of the outflow where it meets St Marys River- Muskrat lives on site.

• 10 March 2025

  Bellevue Park Topsail Island by Community Volunteers

  The snowpack is deep so the water has joined the banks that are further than last season. The ice shelf along the bank has cracked and the separation between water and ice can be seen. The ice is melting and there are pockets of thin ice in the thick ice. You must have training or understand this site. What makes this site most dangerous is that the site may change as breakup and the thickness of ice may not be safe tomorrow and the next. EHHS must be conducted everytime. Ice on the water surface. Park/Recreation is a pollution source in the immediate surroundings. evidence of water uses: Not currently, as the ice has not broken up. It there are boats parked on the other side of the river. "It was very windy but the water was unable to turn due to the ice pack. No wildlife- no fowl- Did a chloride test as a reference for before full spring freshet melt. To note we are having a slow melt. Warm during the day, cold at night, with some cold days in between the warm days. Highs in past 48 hrs range from -6 to plus 4."