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Temperature Monitoring
Temperature monitoring was determined to be one of the most important aspects to record. The project team installed six monitoring stations both upstream and downstream of the two developments to ensure adequate data were obtained. Temperature data is obtained between May 1 and October 1.
Temperature Monitoring Station Locations
At the beginning of the project, temperature monitors were placed in the Kinnickinnic River upstream (Site 3) of the potential Hans Hagen Development, and upstream (Site 2) and downstream (Site 1) of the Sterling Ponds Development. In 2013, the project took on a more narrow scope and eliminated all but Site 5. A Trout Unlimited temperature monitoring station (Site 1A) between Sites 1 and 2 has been operating since 1992.
The temperature of the water both above and below each development is important. Temperature monitoring upstream and downstream of the Sterling Ponds property is possible, as Sumner Creek (a small, intermittent tributary of the Kinnickinnic River) extends through the property. Temperature monitors were placed in Sumner Creek at locations upstream (Site 6) and downstream (Site 4 and 4a) of the Sterling Ponds Development. Three temperature monitors (Site 5) were placed in and around one of the Sterling Ponds storm water detention ponds (wet pond). As for the proposed future development, there is no particular drainage way running through this area. A temperature monitor may be placed at the constructed outlet of the property, but until then it may be difficult to determine where the surface water enters the Kinnickinnic River.
Proposed Future Development
Since the beginning of the project, the proposed future development has been put into a permanent conservation easement and we have noticed that the effects of Sterling Ponds are "absorbed" in Sumner Creek prior to entering the Kinnickinnic. Therefore, we narrowed the scope of the project to determine how well the storm water practices are working within the Sterling Ponds subdivsion.
Sampling Protocol
Onset HOBO Water Temp Pro Loggers were purchased for the temperature monitoring component of this study. The loggers are each housed in a metal protective structure, as shown on the right, to deter theft and vandalism.
Loggers at sites 1 and 3 will be left in place year round. All other loggers will be launched May 1 through October 15 annually. The loggers are programmed to take readings every 10 minutes. Date and time stamps automatically update to match the computer the logger is launched from, therefore, by using the same computer to launch each logger the date and time stamps are synchronized.
Temperature data is downloaded monthly to prevent loss of an entire season of data if something should happen to any of the monitors. Stream temperatures are taken with a hand thermometer during the time the data is downloaded to verify the accuracy of the monitor's readings.