Crystal Creek

The site is safe to access watch your step through the long grass, the uneven ground and random rocks can not be seen. Wear long pants and closed shoes, there is stinging needle and cows parsnip which can effect skin through causing pain, or rashes.
The sea lamprey body from last monitoring event, remains of tail were still on site. The sand-gravel bottom where the lampreys may have laid their eggs can be seen in the pictures provided. No observations of the female sea lamprey from last week or any other., There is visible lamprey eggs or juveniles.

The fence can be hard to cross to get to the sample location. Watch your footing for the lose rocks hidden by the grasses, sedges and other vegetation.
The creek has changed since last season. There are two stream runs, with a cobble, pebble island. The channels on either side of the stream have eroded and are deeper then last season. Check the depths and photos for verification.
Upstream there is a dam of debris from a massive tree that is not due to a beaver BUT there could be a beaver contributing to it in the future. There is evidence of a beaver in the area.
The culvert is approximately the same water level as last spring but downstream from the culvert sand pile has grown.

The site is NOT safe for anyone except Kiki

The site is dangerous to approach. You must approach the stop from the left bank and be careful on the rocks. This site is not safe to access for all volunteers right now.
Ice on the water surface.
There were no wildlife present. There were pine siskins, and chickadees present. The water level was high on both sides of the culvert- the south side of culvert was flowing over the riprap dam, which is good. There is a large mound of sand acquiring on left bank. The snowbank on the road sides are 1 meter high with pack. The tree has fallen in the middle of the creek, which could pose future problems for catching debris and possibility changing the course of the creek.

THE TERRAIN IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS SITE CAN NOT BE ACCESSED WITHOUT PROPER GUIDANCE. The terrain is snow covered with approx., 1 meter of snowpack. The left and right banks snow escarpments are hard packed, and unstable. The water is flowing under left bank and has created an overflow approx. a meter wide. The area is unsafe for anyone to enter unless you are trained in snow and ice readiness, survival, ad safety awareness and working near water in winter. ONLY GO WITH KIKI. She is certified. It is safe for Kiki, her mother was used as a emergency contact. She text upon arrival to each site and text a thumbs up when she left.
Storm water is a source of pollution in the immediate surroundings. Water Colour: Orange.
There was no birds or wildlife seen. No wildlife tracks. There was approx. 1 meter of snow pack at the site. The tree that was hanging in the river last season has fallen and is in the creek. It could become a problem at the culvert if a fast melt occurs. This should be monitored.

The site is currently inaccessible for water monitoring due to deep snow accumulation, unstable icy surface, and the risk of falling through thin ice along the stream's edge.

The beaver dam is gone, it looks like it may have been broken up by a large amount of water. It looks like an explosion of sticks. The other side of the culvert is very high and flowing over the rock once again.
The sand island is not visible and is under the water. The walk down to the creek is slippery because of frozen snow-covered green grasses and other vegetation. The water is high.

This dam is unreal and incredibly dangerous. At this point we need to ensure that no one is getting too close to the dam, the rocks we usually stand on are eroded from water running through them, it is very uneven footing. Do not go near the dam and be careful as the water has flooded above riparian walls.

The beaver dam in the culvert is incredible in size. The water is now approximately 2 feet above the culvert passage but is not flowing, instead a small trickle of water is passing on the sides of the culverts where water is able to pass. The beaver has been busy. A trail cam would be a good asset to watch what is happening at these sites when night comes. The water is high and there is nowhere to sample without being in vegetation. Be careful of footing and do not go near the beaver dam in the culvert. This is a major hazard and is a dangerous area to approach.

Dam is bigger. After the rain at the beginning of last monitoring day, the beaver has been active and reformed the dam. There is water flowing on the other side of the culvert but the water level is higher than it has ever been, due to the beaver dam in the culvert. Be careful of uneven ground. The creek is flooded so there is excess water and less room to work in. The vegetation is now closer to waters edge. The beaver has been very busy at this culvert once again.