Monitor trout water in our area
Proper water temperature is critical to the survival of trout. In general, the optimal maximum temperature for trout is less than 68 degrees F (20 degrees C), with brook trout getting stressed at 66 degrees F .Anything above 75 degrees F (23 degrees C) can be lethal to trout. We all love holdover and wild fish, but low flows, warm water runoff and reduced canopy all contribute to poor trout habitat.
In order to obtain a baseline for trout survivability, your Nutmeg chapter of Trout Unlimited has expanded its temperature logging program. Using this data we can a) identify areas in distress and b) verify that our conservation work to improve water quality is making a difference.
Last year we placed three temperature loggers in the Mill River along Congress Street and Park Avenue, and two loggers in the Pequonnock near both ends of the Trumbull basin.
Sadly, the results were not promising.
- The Mill River along Park Ave., below Buck Hill reached more than 25 degrees C (deadly)
- The Mill River along Congress Street by Rt. 59 exceeded 22 degrees C (marginal)
- The Mill River along Congress downstream near Heritage Drive exceeded 23 degrees (very marginal)
- The Pequonnock River in Parlor Rock reached 27 degrees C (deadly)
- The Pequonnock River by Tait Road exceeded 25 degrees C (deadly)
Fish in the Mill and Pequonnock Rivers need summer refuges to survive. Since the Mill is a wild trout river, clearly this is the case. We have identified nesting Redds and the trout are thriving in the upper Mill, thanks to the cold-water releases from the Easton dam. The work planned for the Mill River along Congress should help long term as we deepen the river and add (planned) 19 pools and structure. In the Pequonnock you can find some holdovers, so there must be springs or deep holes within the waterway. With more loggers we may find them.
This year, with the help of DEEP loaned equipment, we have expanded our focus to include the following rivers:
- Sasco Creek (1)
- Means Brook (1)
- Upper Aspetuck (2)
- Little River (2)
The temperature loggers are placed in the river in May and retrieved in September, at which point we can download and review the data.
Having this data will provide valuable insight for future projects and healthier trout populations.
If you are interested in participating in this important effort, please let us know. Contact: Gian Morresi, Nutmeg TU Conservation Chair at gamorresi@protonmail.com.