USE OF STRESSOR IDENTIFICATION IN THE BROWN'S CREEK BIOLOGICAL TMDL

Marcey L. Westrick, Emmons and Olivier Resources
Gary Oberts, Emmons and Olivier Resources
Travis Theil, Washington Conservation District
Jay Riggs, Washington Conservation District
Karen Kill, Brown's Creek Watershed District

Brown's Creek is a DNR protected, naturally producing trout stream. In 2002, the upper reach of the creek was placed on the MPCA's 303(d) list of impaired waters due to both low fish and macroinvertebrate IBI scores. While the low IBI scores indicate that Brown's Creek is impaired, the exact cause(s) of the impairment(s) are unknown. Using an ecological approach that follows the USEPA's stressor identification process, potential causes of biological impairments can be identified and characterized. In 2006, as part of a collaborative effort between MPCA, the Brown's Creek Watershed District, and the Washington Conservation District, the initial phase of the Stressor Identification Process was initiated for Brown's Creek. Summaries of the data collected and the analyses performed during the initial phase of the study will be discussed.